AS great great grandmother Gladys Manger celebrated her 100th birthday, the newsest member of her family was born far away.

Mrs Manger, of St Mary’s Road, Cowley, celebrated her milestone yesterday with the news that her new great grandson Alexander had been born in Florida.

The centenarian marked the occasion with a family get together and received a birthday card from the Queen.

Mrs Manger was raised in Cowley Road, the youngest of five children. Her father owned Whitford’s hairdressers, in Cowley Road.

She married Reginald Manger in 1933 and the couple moved to Harlseden, in London, where her husband worked for Heinz.

They had two children, Ann and John – both of whom she has outlived – before moving back to Oxford during the Second World War. They were given one of the first council houses in Barton and had another son, Alan.

Mr Manger, who worked at Pressed Steel, died from heart problems in 1971.

Mrs Manger, who has seven grandchildren, six great grandchildren and one great great grandson, held positions at St Hilda’s College in Oxford and Walker’s furniture shop in Headington.

She said: “The secret to my life has been hard work, it never hurt anyone. Also I’ve been blessed with good children.”