Even at 107, Martha Giblin still enjoys a weekly game of bingo at her local bingo club. To celebrate her latest birthday she was joined by her family at the Mecca Bingo in Clough Road, Hull. Marking the special occasion she had a table reserved and was presented a bunch of flowers by the club.

Going to bingo is definitely one of the ways of maintaining a healthy lifestyle as you get older. We regular report how those aged more than 100 attend regular bingo sessions and it is no secret that bingo in itself keeps the mind active. Even for the younger there is a wide variety of games, whether these be computer related, quizzes in papers and magazines or board games designed to train the mind which is just as important as an active lifestyle. In fact getting out the house and keeping active is essential for those wanting to live an extended lifestyle and what better way than playing bingo with your friends. No doubt this has helped to keep Martha in such good shape.

Her daughter, Doreen Joyce, who herself is 85 years old commented: "We have been going to the bingo together for at least 15 years, usually on a Tuesday, and my mum loves it.

"Everyone is used to seeing her and comes up to talk to her.

"She particularly likes the caller, Gary, and calls him her boyfriend. He always makes a fuss of her."

Martha, known to her friends as Annie, was born in Barnsley Street, east Hull and has 222 members of her extended family – that’s enough to run her own busy bingo. The six generations include seven children, 34 grandchildren, 78 great-grandchildren, 89 great-great-grandchildren and 20 great-great-great-children.

As the oldest member of the family she was married at the age of 17 in 1921 and widowed in 1983. She also celebrated her birthday with her favourite tipple of brandy and lemonade and a family celebration at the home she shares with daughter Doreen.

Doreen added: "My mother is devoted to me – I can't even leave the room without her asking where I am.

"People say I'm the reason she is still here.

"My mother is losing her memory now but she still enjoys life, she is always laughing and smiling."

Martha intends to visit the Trades And Labour Club in Beverley Road, where she used to be a regular before suffering illness in September. She was in the headlines at the age of 103 as she flew over to Spain to see her great-great-grandchildren for the first time.