Happy BIRTHDAY!!!

SWINDON'S oldest resident has used her 107th year to improve her health.

Purton great-grandmother Mabel Goodings turns 107 tomorrow but has become healthier since her last birthday by giving up smoking.

Mabel's son Ken, 75, with whom she lives in New Road, said they were planning a quiet celebration.

"She is still living at home but she's not as active as she used to be," said Ken.

"She has packed up smoking this year though.

"She has been smoking for most of her life, but I think she just couldn't be bothered with it any more.

"She only smoked one or two a day. It didn't bother me that she smoked but she said she couldn't be doing with it any more.

"And I guess it is good for her to be keeping a bit healthier.

"We haven't really got any plans. She's had so many birthdays now it gets hard to think of something original to give her. I will be getting a nice cake though and all of the family will be popping by to see her.

"Mum has had a hard life but she has survived through it all.

"She is still living at home with me. She has lived here most of her life, so I don't think she would ever want to move now.

"I look after her these days, but I'm getting on a bit myself now."

Mabel, who is also mum to Les, 67, Rex, 62, and Pete, 78, said that bringing up four boys had been hard work but thought that it helped her live so long.

Revealing the secret of her longevity, Mrs Goodings, who was born during the reign of Queen Victoria, said: "Hard work is the secret. That and a drop of gin."

Mrs Goodings was born between Purton and Purton Stoke just a few miles from the home she now lives in with Ken. She was born the day after the Queen Mother.

She is expecting her sons, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren to call in on Sunday to see her seventh telegram from the Queen.

She has spent 70 years of her life in New Road since marrying railway plate layer Bert, who died in 1977.

She still remembers when the village was in its railway heyday.

"Years ago you didn't need a clock in the house because of the railway.

"The trains used to stop so regularly you could tell the time from them," she said.

9:52am Saturday 4th August 2007