Diana Gould will be 100 years old when she has her moment of glory

She might be 99 years old but a Kenton woman will give her younger counterparts a run for their money by becoming the country’s oldest Olympic torch bearer.

Diana Gould, who lives in Radbourne Court, Draycott Avenue, will be a centenarian when she has her moment of glory on July 25, as she turns 100 on May 23.

Mrs Gould was nominated by her granddaughter Alexandra Antscherl through Lloyds TSB’s nationwide search for inspirational people.

She said: “It is an important honour for me to be selected to carry the Olympic torch – it really is a wonderful, wonderful feeling that people think I am good enough for it.

“Of course it is an honour. My mum would have been very proud, and it is turning out to be quite a big year for me as I am soon turning 100.”

The sprightly pensioner, a former badminton player, and chocoholic, runs exercise classes in her retirement flats. She added: “I teach the class to old ladies but saying that I am old enough to be their mother. But I do it to keep my mind, and their minds, alert. And with the class and the other things I do, I keep myself busy.

“I think the whole family will gather for the torch relay and that is going to be great.

“I know my family is organising a big party and soon after that, it will be the Olympics. But 100 is only a figure. I am good and healthy except for the odd bit of rheumatism. I do a lot of reading, do a lot of puzzles, play a lot of Scrabble and talk a lot of nonsense – and that’s the secret to living to 100.”