A great grandmother who has lived in the same house for 77 years has seen its value rise by more than £549,000. Winifred Flemming, 106, bought her home at the end of World War Two back in 1945 for just £800.
Having lived there for almost eight decades, Winifred's property is now worth £550,000 - at least 550 times what she initially bought it for. The pensioner, who is believed to be Britain's oldest homeowner, wants to remain in her home despite calls to move into assisted living.
Winifred, known as Win, owns a semi-detached home in West Wickham, Kent which has three bedrooms, a garden at the front and back and a shared driveway.
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Despite breaking her hip, the great grandma of four from Kent claims she's still "fighting fit" and able to look after herself - and says there is no place she'd rather live.
"I worked extremely hard to afford this house - which I originally bought for just £800," said Win.
"When I moved to West Wickham it was a lovely area and I've always had lots of friends and family around here. I've got so comfortable here over the years and a lot of my most cherished memories all took place within these walls.
"I never considered moving as my whole life was built around my café business that I owned for 28 years. So much has changed since I first moved in it's hard to put into words how different the area looks when I step out my front door.
"During my time here I've done lots of work to the house and now it really is the perfect home. I plan on staying put for as long as possible."
Win was widowed after her husband Henry died in 1997, and she had been living on her own in the home up until last year.
She has since taken in her daughter Yvonne Bloom, 84, who's health has severely deteriorated over the last 10 months.
Yvonne suffers from bipolar disorder and relies on her daughter Janine Bloom, 47, who is one of Win's four grandchildren, to do her weekly shop.
"My nan is such an incredible woman. Up until recently she was fully independent, but she broke her hip just before her 103rd birthday which has impacted her mobility," said Janine, a mum of two, who also helps with her grandma's groceries.
"She's such a caring person and she doesn't let her age affect her positive outlook on life," added Yvonne.
"There may come a time where we'll have to start thinking about moving her, but at the moment she's going nowhere - she's made that very clear.
"She still takes cups of tea up to mum when she's not feeling well which I think is really incredible."
Janine says her grandmother 'always wants to do everything for herself' despite having carers who attend a few times a week to assist her with house work, as well as a gardener to maintain her front and back lawn.
"Win is still reminding everyone when the bins need to go out every week, and what needs to be done round the house," she said.
"She always says 'I wish I could get out in that garden' because she spent so much time there over the years.
"Despite having carers come in, she always does her best to help them dust and tidy up. When we first got her some help she found it hard to relinquish control because she always wants to do everything for herself no matter what it is - that's just the type of person she is.
"One thing she says often is 'I'll miss the simple things in life, like never being able to climb a ladder again', and I think that is born out of a fear of her losing her independence."
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