It's a very special day for one East Anglian Daily Times reader who is celebrating her 109th birthday - and  she already has plans on her next trip away.

Joan Kersey is an inspiration to people everywhere as she marks yet another landmark birthday and continues to live in in the house in Tattingstone where she has lived for nearly all of her life.

Miss Kersey credits her long and happy life with fresh food, and having surrounded herself with kind, loyal friends.

“I don’t feel old!” she laughed.

East Anglian Daily Times: Miss Kersey has travelled all over the world, but has lived in Tattingstone all her life. Image: Charlotte BondMiss Kersey has travelled all over the world, but has lived in Tattingstone all her life. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)East Anglian Daily Times: Joan said that she is particularly grateful for the kind, loyal friends who she has surrounded herself with throughout her life. Image: Charlotte BondJoan said that she is particularly grateful for the kind, loyal friends who she has surrounded herself with throughout her life. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Miss Kersey has led an adventurous life, having travelled all over the world – to Australia, India, New Zealand, Canada, America, and countries all over Europe, to name just a few. She said her favourite place is probably Switzerland, closely followed by Bangkok, Thailand.

Miss Kersey has not lost the travel bug just yet, although these days she stays closer to home.

Since this paper saw her last year, she has enjoyed a holiday to the south coast, which took in Brighton, Eastbourne and Bognor Regis.

It was during this time that the new Charles III was crowned, the fifth monarch to have reigned in Miss Kersey’s lifetime.

Now, the former Ipswich High School pupil is looking forward to a holiday to Clacton-on-Sea in June, which will almost certainly include an ice cream on the beach.

Miss Kersey is often accompanied on her adventures with her friend and carer-cum-sidekick, Pet Schlund-Roberts.

“I’m lucky to have Pet,” said Miss Kersey.

East Anglian Daily Times: Miss Kersey said that she is grateful to have surrounded herself with good friends. To her left is long-time friend Vicky Cook, and to her right is friend and carer Pet Schlund-Roberts. Image: Charlotte BondMiss Kersey said that she is grateful to have surrounded herself with good friends. To her left is long-time friend Vicky Cook, and to her right is friend and carer Pet Schlund-Roberts. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)East Anglian Daily Times: Joan has received her second birthday card from King Charles III, the fifth monarch to have reigned in her lifetime. Image: Charlotte BondJoan has received her second birthday card from King Charles III, the fifth monarch to have reigned in her lifetime. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

As for tips on living a long and happy life, Miss Kersey feels that her regular outings to church and around the village help to keep her active.

Next week, she will be making the journey to East Bergholt with Mrs Schlund-Roberts to welcome the new rector.

Miss Kersey also likes to start the day with fresh fruit for breakfast – which she enjoys without fail with a copy of the East Anglian Daily Times.

East Anglian Daily Times: Happy Birthday, Joan, from all at the EADT. Image: Charlotte BondHappy Birthday, Joan, from all at the EADT. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

After completing sixth form at Ipswich High School, Miss Kersey attended Miss Ransomes College for girls in London for two years. 

In 1939, during the Second World War, she helped out at her father's opticians business in Ipswich and Diss.

As a member of the church, she was chosen to receive the Royal Maundy money from Queen Elizabeth at St Edmundsbury Cathedral.