KNOWN as the Guinness Lady, Lydia Cotton still credits it for her ripe old age — she has just turned 103.

Lydia made the front page of the Isle of Wight County Press three years ago on her 100th birthday when she revealed that she drank a pint of the black stuff every day.

She still enjoys her Guinness, although might not be keeping up the quantity, now she is in more advanced years and living at Seven Gables Care Home in Totland.

She was first recommended the drink when she was in hospital for anaemia more than 60 years ago and has sworn by it ever since.

These days, she leads a quiet life but enjoys visits from her family and the company of staff at the care home.

Lydia has seven grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.

She was born in Hebburn, Tyne and Wear. Later, she moved to the Island with her husband and ran The Lynch guesthouse, Shanklin.

She re-married in 1971, to Bert Cotton, and cooked for local families. They lived in Shorwell and Mottistone before settling in Freshwater.