The widow of footballing legend Ted Drake has celebrated her 103rd birthday at a New Malden care home.

Ruby Drake, who moved to Brook House Nursing Home last year, celebrated surrounded by her family and the staff.

When decorating her cake the home opted for numerals, rather than 103 individual candles.

Son Graham Drake, who lives in Basingstoke, said of last Friday’s party: “She did enjoy it – she was pleased she had her family around her.

“It was very good indeed. The home are very good, they organised it very well.

“[The cake] went down very well indeed – it tasted very nice.

“All the other residents were in the room and it was an open party, which was very nice.”

Surrey Comet:

Ruby celebrates with her family

Brook House administrator Mary-Jane Brown said: “She’s a real character. If she’s pleased to see you her face lights up.

“She’s a very popular lady – a sweetie.

“She’s going strong and has been since she joined us.”

Ruby married Ted Drake in 1938, after meeting at a dance in Southampton.

Her husband is Arsenal's fifth highest all-time goalscorer, with 139 goals in 184 appearences.

The family moved to Wimbledon in 1952 when Mr Drake became Chelsea boss -  steering the Blues to their first ever First Division championship in 1955, and becoming the first man to win the title as both a player and a manager.

He died in 1995, aged 82.