A NEWPORT woman celebrated her 100th birthday yesterday.

Emma Webb, of Pill, celebrated the milestone with a meal and tea party at her home, surrounded by her close family and friends.

Mrs Webb attributes her long life to her Christian faith.

She was born in Goldcliff on the outskirts of Newport and went to the primary school in the village before moving to Bournemouth in her late teens where she worked as a cleaner.

She returned to Newport in 1939 and met her husband-to-be, Albert Frances Webb, as one of the two shops he ran was near where she lived on Balmoral Road.

Mr Webb also did two stints in the Merchant Navy, leaving as a chief steward in 1952. Mrs Webb worked in the family general store and over 12 years had two corner shops until her husband died in 1962 after suffering a cerebral haemorrhage.

The couple had three children, five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Mrs Webb said: “I came back during the war to Newport and got a job in Woolworths for  Christmas but I stayed on and met my husband and we got married and had our own shop.”

Her daughter Sylvia Webb, 72, of Newport, said: “You would never believe she was a 100, as she has hardly any wrinkles.

“She has never smoked or drank, walked everywhere, and reads her bible every day. She also reads the Argus every day.”