A former Olympic torch bearer received a surprise birthday visit from a team of firefighters.

Diana Gould, of Draycott Avenue, Kenton, celebrated her 103rd birthday with a difference this year after being presented with a birthday card, box of chocolates and a bunch of flowers from a team of generous firefighters.

The birthday surprise was organised after the G22 Stanmore crew carried out a routine home fire safety visit last month, during which the team found out about Mrs Gould’s life.

Crew manager Stavros Marangos said: “She is a remarkable lady, very independent, extremely youthful in her looks, fully mobile and her faculties are all intact.

“In fact, she stole our hearts with her outlook on life and her banter.”

Born on May 23, 1912, Mrs Gould survived two world wars and remained active throughout her life – playing squash well into her eighties.

She was also a London Olympics Torch bearer and her late husband, Ellwood Maurice Gould, was in the auxiliary fire service during the Second World War.