Ben WoodsThe key to a long life has puzzled the best minds for centuries, but for 100- year- old Peggy Pugh it seems taking a leaf out of Paddington Bear's book might be the answer.Ben Woods

The key to a long life has puzzled the best minds for centuries, but for 100- year- old Peggy Pugh it seems taking a leaf out of Paddington Bear's book might be the answer.

Miss Pugh, who used to live in Paddington, London, claims the reason for her enduring years is down to eating five rounds of marmalade on toast a day.

The secret was revealed during her century birthday bash on Tuesday where a spread of high tea, cream scones, and birthday cake was laid out at Westfield House, Westfield Road, Dereham.

Surrounded by fresh bouquets of flowers and dozens of birthday cards, she was toasted on the milestone occasion by her niece, Daphne White, and her friends and carers at the residential home.

One of nine children, Miss Pugh, whose Christian name is Margaret, spent her working life at a McVities factory, despite hating biscuits.

Although she never married, as she claimed she never wanted to spend her life looking after a man, she said she spent many happy years working at the factory and had warm memories of going on coach trips with her work colleagues.

Miss Pugh's birthday was also marked by a special card from the Queen and a birthday card from her long lost nephew, John Francis, who first made contact with her in December 2009 whilst researching his family tree.