A FORMER auxiliary nurse celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by friends and family this week.

May Wilkins, was born in Swansea, 100 years ago on June 9, but was put up for adoption at the age of four and moved to Newport where she was raised by a childless couple.

Mrs Wilkins who enjoys knitting and dancing, joined the Red Cross and worked as a auxiliary nurse at Stow Hill hospital during the war where she would care for the soldiers.

Mrs Wilkins married at the age of 21, to Kenneth Wilkins and has one son and one granddaughter who came along to celebrate her special day the Millbrook Care Home, in Pontllanfraith on Monday.

The party organised by car home staff, including manager Claire Porter, was a complete surprise to Mrs Wilkins who believed she had celebrated the day before when she was visited by friends from Yeovil.

“I had a wonderful time, but I am exhausted today,” she said.

Mrs Wilkins was also visited by the mayor of Newport Matthew Evans who came to wish her a happy birthday. and joined in the celebrations, which featured a buffet and a performance by Latin-American dancing duo Bethan and Lewis Ryland.