BRIDPORT'S oldest resident has celebrated her 106th birthday - living proof that variety is the spice of life.

Jane Shaw has worked as a top hairdresser, florist, Blackpool landlady, tobacconist and sweet shop owner, as well as being a published author.

Described as a "walking history book" she lives with her daughter, Margaret Avery, at North Allington.

She admits to not being quite as sprightly as when she celebrated her 100th birthday - then taking to the dance floor to do two laps of the conga - but she still enjoys a walk and the occasional glass of sherry.

Born in Stockport during the reign of Queen Victoria, she spent her early childhood in Derbyshire and her later years at Lytham St Annes before moving to live in Bridport around five years ago.

She married at the age of 26, but her husband, Walter, died when he was 50 and she has been widowed for 58 years.

She enjoyed a wide variety of occupations and wrote a book about her life when she was in her 90s. It was called Jenny's Life - after her husband's special name for her.

Mrs Shaw has a son, Graham, who lives in Dorchester, three granddaughters and four great-grandchildren.

She celebrated her special day at Harbour House residential home in West Bay where she enjoys the occasional spell of respite care while her daughter is away. Staff laid on a birthday tea with a cake.