A remarkable Dorchester resident - Jean Turner - turns one hundred years young today, and is celebrating with a surprise birthday bash.

Spritely Mrs Turner was born on February 25 1919 - her daughter, Gaynor Turner, has been planning a party with music by a very special local band - which must remain a secret at the time of going to press.

Not only that, but flying in from Australia will be Mrs Turner's son Philip and his wife Marguerite - bringing with them a VIP guest - granddaughter Chloé.

Jean Turner also has three great grandchildren - Chloé's two sons with husband Chris: Ellis and Sam, and Amelia, who is the daughter of her grandson Luke and his wife Haylee.

She says the secret to her youth is the happy and sociable life she leads at Swanbridge Court, where she moved in 1990 with her late husband, Peter.

The couple were among the first to move into the building, and Mrs Turner said she still enjoys a packed social diary, including music and film nights, coffee mornings and Scrabble tournaments.

Helen Mullender, who is the accommodation manager at Swanbridge Court, described the immaculately turned-out centenarian as "truly inspirational".

Although originally from Cheshire, Mrs Turner has lived all over Dorset. When asked which town she preferred, she diplomatically said "Dorset is the nicest place to live"- despite having set up home in exotic locations such as Singapore, due to her husband's career with the RAF.

The couple celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary in 2006, but sadly, Peter Turner passed away the following year. Jean said the sweethearts met while they were working for the same company in Cheshire.

"He was in the warehouse and I worked in the offices - we would arrange to meet up on our lunch breaks", she said with a twinkle in her eye.

"During the war, mother would tell me: "don't go out with any Americans", she chuckled.

"I didn't go out with any, of course, but I danced with some - you couldn't turn down a dance.

"They were very good at jiving, but not so good when it came to proper dancing - I don't think they knew their waltz from their foxtrot!"

Mrs Turner's sharp sense of humour was praised by her friend, Keith Wilson, who is a volunteer fundraiser with the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance.

Mr Wilson explained how the centenarian's generosity and drive have helped keep the charity airborne, thanks to the weekly coffee morning fundraisers she has been holding for over eleven years.

"Jean is remarkable - she's one of those people who is always 21 again", he said.