AT 90, most people could be forgiven for putting their feet up, but for Phyllis Ayres, working has never been a chore.

Twenty-five years after most people have retired, the pensioner has just celebrated her 90th birthday with a party at the residential home she works at.

Mrs Ayres, of Brightwell-cum-Sotwell, began working in the laundry room at Sotwell Hill House in 1990 — at the age of 70.

The great-grandmother has only just reduced her working week from five days to four, performing domestic duties during 8am to 2pm shifts. Mrs Ayres, who works alongside her daughter, Ann Pretty, 68, said: “I suppose it is unusual to be working at my age but I just enjoy it so much. I love chatting to the residents and staff as I go about my rounds.

“I don’t know what my secret is — I live with my daughter and she takes good care of me and I just like to help others.

“One of the nice things is I have watched the family who own the home grow up. When we celebrated my birthday, they were all there and I don’t feel any older.”

Mrs Ayres, who has three children, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, was born and raised in Brightwell-cum-Sotwell.

It was in the village where she met her future husband, William, a bricklayer. She worked as a housekeeper before becoming a stay-at-home wife following the couple’s marriage in 1941. Her husband died in 1995. In 1975 she became caretaker at Brightwell-cum-Sotwell Primary School where she worked for about 15 years.

Only recently did Mrs Ayres stop cycling to work, but she carried on walking to her job during the recent cold snap. Her normal day consists of washing the residents’ clothes and delivering them once they’re dry. The nonagenarian also does odd jobs, such as polishing the brass and sweeping the floor.

When not at work, Mrs Ayres enjoys gardening and taking her daughter’s West Highland terriers for walks.

Her manager, Josephine Butterfield, 42, said: “I’ve also been here for 20 years and I think Phyllis is amazing. Her spirit and drive is incredible.

“She’s a popular member of staff, both with the residents and the staff. She’s always got a smile, really chatty, and the only time she gets annoyed is when we try to make her take a day off!”

Mrs Ayres’s birthday was on January 7 but she marked the big day with a party at the home last Wednesday.

Mrs Pretty said: “I think she’s absolutely wonderful for achieving this milestone. I hope I’ll still be working at the home when I’m her age!”