Walks on Dartmoor and eating plenty of clotted cream have helped Dawlish care home resident, Rosemary Buchan, to reach her 100th birthday.

Rosemary celebrated her big day with socially distanced visits from her family at the Sefton Hall nursing home.

The centenarian was born in Whitehaven, Cumbria, the only child of a colonel in the Indian Army.

She attended boarding school in England and studied domestic science before serving with the WRNs in World War 2. Rosemary met her late husband, David, while their two families were living on Dartmoor and the couple married in 1948.

Widowed over 30 years ago, Rosemary has three children, seven grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.

Rosemary’s eldest daughter, Alethe Virgin, said: ‘Apart from the cream and the country hikes, my mother also enjoyed Scottish Country Dancing until she was well into her 70’s. She has never smoked or drank and meals were always cooked with fresh ingredients and plenty of vegetables. She has had a very healthy lifestyle, which I am sure has contributed to her longevity.’

‘She contracted Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria as a child but recovered well and has been fortunate not to have suffered from any major illnesses in her adult life.’

She added: “Most of Mum’s family were there to wish her well on her birthday – albeit from behind a Perspex screen. This was followed by a family meal at a nearby pub. The staff at the home were brilliant in helping us to make it such a memorable day.’

A spokesperson from Sefton Hall said: ‘We are all very fond of Rosemary. She has a great sense of humour and likes to keep us on our toes.’