TRIBUTES have been paid to one of Gwent’s oldest residents – who has died at the age of 106.

Alice Brooks, from Pontypool, spent more than 100 years of her life living at the same house at Torfaen Terrace in Pontnewynydd.

Born on November 14, 1909, Ms Brooks survived two world wars, watched 24 prime ministers come and go, and lived through 23 Olympic Games.

She worked at Burton Biscuits in the early years of the Second World War, and then in the Royal Ordinance Factory at Glascoed as a factory operator from 1940 until retirement.

One of her nephews, Ted Brooks, 71, from Cwmbran, said she told family the secret to her long life was the fact that she never got married.

He said: “She had no illnesses. She just got on with her life with her independence on her own.

“She used to catch the bus to Pontypool at 100 to go shopping. She was marvellous and she used to cut her own grass at 100 years of age.”

Ms Brooks grew up with three sisters and four brothers and was particularly close to her older sister, Ivy, who went on to live until the age of 102.

Both of the sisters were still raising money for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal late into their lives and Mr Brooks said they did everything together.

He said: “They wouldn’t buy one thing without the other having the exact same thing bought.

“She cared for her Mam and Dad in their later life and then her sister in recent years. She was always caring for people.”

Although Ms Brooks had a pacemaker fitted at 105, and lost her eyesight in her later years, she rarely visited doctors during her long life.

A lover of snooker and Songs of Praises, she loved nothing more than spending time with her extended family.

Mr Brooks, who cared for her in her later years, said: “I think she was just a happy person. She loved her family because she had all her family around her.

“She made me promise her that she’d never be put in a home.”

Ms Brooks suffered a water infection two months ago before dying peacefully in her sleep last week.

She left her family her wishes for her funeral service, including what hymns she wanted. The service will be held at Panteg Cemetery Chapel from 10.30am on Thursday.