Hard work is the key to a long life, says Gertrude, 104

The great-grandmother has lived in Walsall for all of her 104 years.

Born in Darlaston, she spent 10 years working as a cook for a local vicar.

She also recalls working for a factory in Willenhall, where she made knick knacks.

"Belonging to a big family, we all had to work hard," she said. "That went for every family back then."

"It was wicked what happened to us. The Government didn't help. We never saw a ha'penny. I managed by taking in sewing and cooking. People today don't know what we had to endure."

She recalls her mother telling her and her sisters to fetch their Sunday best dresses to give to some poor children who called at the house wearing rags.

And exercise is another key to her long life: "We didn't have a car, so I walked and walked and walked," she said. "I felt grand when I was walking."

She met her husband William through her brothers and the pair were married when she was 28 at St Mary's Church, where the family regularly attended mass.

Sadly, he died aged 42 from throat cancer and is buried at Bilston Cemetery.

"It was the Woodbines he smoked," Mrs Talbot said. "They were all young men could afford back then."

Mrs Talbot has a son, Peter, who is 72, two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. "I adore my boy," she said.

From a large Catholic family, she has six sisters and three brothers. Mrs Talbot was the oldest but one. Sadly, she has only two sisters left alive, Ruby, who lives in Bilston, and Mary, who lives in Gloucester.

Her father worked in construction, while her mother ran the household.

Mrs Talbot added: "My father worked for Mr Harding. He was the only person who had a car, not like today."

The birthday girl, who turned 104 last Friday, remembers when electricity cables were being laid in Bilston, where her family moved to when she was a child.

"It was grand to have electricity," she added. "I can't believe that there's anyone alive now who remembers that."

Mrs Talbot said that she had enjoyed her birthday at the Elms Care Home in Bilston.

"The flowers were lovely and I had so many birthday cards. I didn't know I had so many friends."

A fervent teetotaller and a non-smoker, Mrs Talbot also puts her longevity down to her lifestyle.

"My father and mother never went out drinking," she said. "I've lived a quiet life. My parents kept us together, they never let us run wild."