AT 90, most people could be forgiven for putting their feet up, but for Phyllis Ayres, working has never been a chore.

Twenty-five years after most people have retired, the pensioner celebrated her 90th birthday with a party at the residential home she works at.

Mrs Ayres, from Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, near Wallingford, began working in the laundry room at Sotwell Hill House in 1990 at the ripe old age of 70.

The great-grandmother has only just reduced her working week from five days to four, performing domestic duties from 8am to 2pm.

Mrs Ayres, who works alongside her daughter, Ann Pretty, 68, said: “I suppose it’s unusual to be working at my age but I enjoy it so much.

“I love chatting to the residents and staff as I go about my rounds.

“I don’t know what my secret is – I live with my daughter and she takes good care of me and I like to help others.

“One of the nice things is I’ve watched the family who own the home grow up. When we celebrated my birthday they were all there and I don’t feel any older.”

Mrs Ayres, who has three children, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, was born and raised in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell.

She met her future husband, William, a bricklayer, in the village and worked as a housekeeper before becoming a stay-at-home wife following the couple’s marriage in 1941. Her husband died in 1995.

In 1975 she became caretaker at Brightwell-cum-Sotwell Primary School, before taking up her post at the home.

Mrs Ayres only recently stopped cycling to work, but she carried on walking to her job during the recent cold snap.

Her normal day consists of washing the residents’ clothes and delivering them once they are dry. The nonagenarian also does odd jobs, such as polishing the brass and sweeping the floor.

When not at work, Mrs Ayres enjoys gardening and taking her daughter’s two West Highland Terriers for walks.

Her manager, Josephine Butterfield, 42, said: “I’ve also been here for 20 years and I think Phyllis is amazing. Her spirit and drive is incredible.

“She’s a popular member of staff, both with the residents and the staff. She’s always got a smile, is really chatty, and the only time she gets annoyed is when we try and make her take a day off.

“My son is 17 now and she’s watched him grow up. She used to give him rides on her vacuum cleaner.”

Mrs Ayres’s birthday was on Thursday, January 7, but she marked the big day with a party at the home last week.

Mrs Pretty said: “Mum and I get on really well. We’re more like friends. I think she’s absolutely wonderful for achieving this milestone. I hope I’ll still be working at the home when I’m her age.”