Sprightly Ivy is 103

BIRTHDAY girl . . . Ivy Howard

IVY Howard exercises every morning, enjoys a tot of sherry and loves to socialise with friends — not bad for a woman who turns 103 today.

The sprightly Scouthead centenarian, who lives with daughter Aileen Wood, has only recently given up line dancing and keep fit classes at St Edward’s Church in Lees. Ivy now enjoys watching TV, reading, crocheting and keeping her section of the house clean and tidy.

The popular great-grandmother received 110 cards when she turned 100 in 2006 — one for every year and another one for every decade.

Ivy puts the secret of her long and healthy life down to not smoking, not drinking too much and home-cooked food.