A FORMER Land Girl celebrating her 100th birthday has revealed the secret to living a long and happy life.

Evadne Beardsmore, a Knutsford care home resident, said: “Always think of others and put them before yourself.

“A great sense of humour helps too.”

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Family and friends joined her for a celebration party to mark her milestone birthday at Cranford Grange on Hall Lane.

Evadne was born on August 8, 1924 in Yorkshire.

Passionate about helping others, she pursued a career in nursing and midwifery, after completing medical training at St Thomas Hospital in 1943.

During the second World War, Evadne was part of the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service, where she oversaw the meals on wheels service for injured soldiers.

Evadne as a nurseEvadne as a nurse (Image: Supplied)

Evadne’s career saw her work as a Land Girl through the London Blitz and D-Day.

During the Second World War,  the Women's Land Army, also known as Land Girls, performed a variety of jobs to help keep the country fed and support the military.

By 1943, more than 80,000 women were doing a wide range of jobs, including milking cows, lambing, managing poultry, ploughing, gathering crops, digging ditches, catching rats and carrying out farm maintenance work.

Evadne can recall seeing Winston Churchill and members of the Royal Family on the balcony of Buckingham Palace in 1945.

After the War, Evadne married her late husband, David, in 1949 and the couple had two daughters.

Today, Evadne has five grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, who all regularly visit her at Cranford Grange.

Lisa Burrows, general manager at Care UK's Cranford Grange, said: “We were so excited to celebrate such a joyous day with Evadne and her family.

“As a much-loved resident at Cranford Grange, it was amazing to mark this tremendous milestone with her, celebrating her many achievements, and hear her very good advice for living a long and happy life.”