THIS great-great grandmother may be turning 100 – but she still has a “mischievous” sense of humour.

Sprightly Vera Williams has always been a “strong” role model to her two children, ten grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 18 great-great grandchildren.

She is preparing to celebrate her landmark birthday at her home in Lynton Road, Harrow, on Friday, surrounded by her friends and family from America.

Vera, who never married, had her first child when she was 20 and lived in Hammersmith and Fulham where she worked as a babysitter and a nanny.

Junean Harrison, her great-granddaughter, remembers her mother arguing with her sister over a dress they both wanted.

Vera stunned the pair by grabbing the dress and ripping it in half to solve the issue.

The 34-year-old said: “As children, we all used go to her house on Saturdays, where she would cook Caribbean soup and bring us all together.

“Her cooking was always memorable, particularly her classic orange cake which we all used to love to eat.

“She also loves watching television. I remember watching Brookside with her and she likes Colombo and Catch Phrase too.”

She says the secret to a long life is keeping her mind active.

Ms Harrison said: “She plays a lot of word searches and cross words and is quite active mentally, which I think has kept her sane.

“She also eats at least one orange a day, which could contribute to her longevity.

“She laughs a lot and has a cheeky sense of humour, but most importantly she has a lot of love to give.”