A PLUCKY pensioner thought to be the oldest person in Dovercourt is turning 107.

Dorothy Armour, of Lime Court residential home, in Dovercourt, will celebrate reaching the milestone today.

Sarah Meachen, activities co-ordinator at Lime Court residential home, said she believes Dorothy is the oldest person in the area.

She said: “Dorothy is really bubbly and is looking forward to her birthday party.”

In the morning the Harwich mayor and mayoress are due to go to the residential home to wish Dorothy a happy birthday and then in the afternoon a party will be held in the care home.

Dorothy’s friends, family and the care home’s 39 residents will be having tea and cake with her to mark the special occasion.

Sarah said: “We will also have a singer for Dorothy on the day who will hopefully sing her favourite song, which is I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles.”

The 106-year-old was born in Ilford on December 7, 1911.

During the First World War she was evacuated to Canvey Island and travelled to school in a pony and trap.

When Dorothy left school, she took a secretarial course and graduated in 1930 with certificates in shorthand at 120 words per minute. Her first job was working for a shoe company in Finsbury Circus in London when she was in her twenties.

Then during the Second World War, she worked for the County Medical Officer at County Hall, Chelmsford.

At weekends she rode her back-peddling bicycle to Fambridge on the Crouch - a distance of 11 miles - to look after her parents. After the war Dorothy returned to Ilford where she became a secretary to a bank manager.

Her sister and family moved to Dovercourt in 1947 and following the death of her parents, Dorothy moved to the town in 1972.

Sarah said Dorothy continued to live independently in the town until she was 100 when she decided to move into Lime Court on April 26, 2011.

When asked the secret of her longevity Dorothy said taking plenty of exercise cycling and fresh air.