A 90-YEAR-OLD woman who serviced spitfires during the war has been nominated for running social events in her home after the local disabled club closed.

Joan Edwards, who was in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force in the Second World War and vice-president of the South East branch of the Burma Star Association, still has that fighting spirit.

She said: “ When the club shut I started inviting people to my house about 10 years ago.

“Then I started making cakes so they love coming here for them. We do some gentle exercises and the whole thing does me good and keeps me young. We celebrate birthdays and have a lot of fun.”

The great-grandmother, of Allenby Road, Southall, celebrated her 21st birthday on the ship going out to India.

She said: “There was a war on, but it was fantastic, because there were only a few English ladies and we were spoiled. I’m sure my mother must have been terribly worried.

“I did some clerical work and nursing and was also a flight mechanic, servicing spitfires.

“It took six weeks to get there. The furthest I had been before was the seaside.”

Joan, who met her husband John at the iconic Gateway of India, said she felt she had nothing to live for when he died 20 years ago.

She was nominated by friend Edith McKeown, who said: “You can see Joan whizzing around on her disabled scooter.

“When the disabled club closed she invited people round to her house every month.

“They play bingo, she gives them supper and cooks cakes. Any money she makes goes to the WellFound charity providing clean water for communities in Africa.

“She also helps at the Baptist and Methodist church and holds a couple of garden parties in the summer.

“She is a wonderful caring lady who doesn’t have good health, but that never stops her from helping others. I am so proud to call her my friend.”