TENNIS and needlework were the favourite lessons of Josie Heath, who left school at the age of 14.

Now celebrating her 101st birthday at a Poole care home, Emily, who prefers to be known at Josie, has happy memories of those far off days.

Born at Alresford, Essex, she moved to Hamworthy 14 years ago to be near her family and went into the Laurels and Pine Lodge at Oakdale in 2010.

As a child she lived on a farm from which she derived a lifelong liking for sheep and she has a flock of sheep-related items in her room.

She worked in a haberdasher’s as a shop assistant and met husband Fred, an electrician in Alresford.

The couple had two children, Michael and Pamela, and five grandchildren.

“Having lots of close family and friends and being able to have a laugh,” is what Josie credits for her long life.

Poole mayor, Cllr Graham Wilson and Mayoress, wife Sally, visited to wish her a happy birthday and a party for family and friends was held at the care home.

Flowers and cards flooded in and local family visited to help her celebrate. Daughter Pam, who lives in New Zealand, visited last year for her 100th birthday.

“You wouldn’t know she was 101,” said senior care assistant Kathryn Kishere. She enjoys talking to her visitors, going for rides in the car and still has a very sweet tooth.