Born in the year the third modern Olympic Games were held, Freda Brucker celebrated her 107th birthday last week.

Miss Brucker is a resident of Sanctuary Care’s Pinewood Care Home in Manford Way, Hainault, and she marked the day on Thursday with family and friends at the home, as well as a visit from Redbridge’s mayor Cllr Chris Cummins.

On reaching the age of 107, Freda said: “I’ve seen a lot of changes in the world over the years, some good, some not so good.

“But through it all I’ve had my family with me and we’ve always looked out for each other. It’s amazing to get to 107 and I’m really pleased to have so many people to share the day with.”

She was serenaded by singer Geoff Stone, who was dressed in a war costume and sung classics from the 1940s and 1950s.

She was born in Leyton in 1904 to her father Constantine and mother Selena, who had eight children.

Her father was stationed on the Isle of Man during the First World War and later at Alexandra Palace.

After the war was over, he was repatriated to Germany, and Freda and her brothers and sisters went to join him in the small village of Maichingen.

In April 1923 her mother died of tuberculosis and Freda was responsible for looking after her seven younger siblings.

They moved back to Leyton three years later where they stayed until they moved to Finsbury Park, where she worked as a seamstress until she reached her 70s.

At the age of 96, Freda moved into Pinewood, where she has lived ever since.

Pinewood manager Denise Brown said: “107 is an incredible age to reach and we’re all so pleased to be able to celebrate with Freda.

“All the staff here love having her around and our residents really enjoy sharing stories with her of days gone by. Happy birthday Freda!”

While she has no children of her own, Freda is a proud aunt to five nephews, one niece, five great nephews, four great nieces, six great-great nephews, six great-great nieces, one great-great-great nephew and one great-great-great niece.