A World War Two veteran from Oldham who helped crack the Enigma code has celebrated turning 103 years old.

Doreen Brooks, from Waterhead, was honoured with a purple plaque in recognition of her incredible work in the war two years ago for her 101st birthday.

Ms Brooks, born on July 17, 1921, was part of the team that was tasked with intercepting German messages.

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Once intercepted, the team would log the messages and send them to the British Intelligence Service at Bletchley Park where Alan Turing's special team and his machines would work to decode the messages.

Mr Turing's machines were able to crack a total of 84,000 Enigma messages each month, accounting for two messages every minute.

Collectively, their efforts meant they were able to send fresh intelligence to aid the Western front, ultimately helping to bring an end to the war.

Some historians estimate that the codebreaking operation shortened the war in Europe by as many as two to four years and saved millions of lives in the process.

Yet the codebreakers tasked with breaking the Enigma, which they largely did in secret, were only recognised in recent years.

Ms Brooks and several others from the specialist team received a thank you letter from the then-Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, in 2009.

Now, the veteran who moved to Anchor's Millfield care home earlier this year, has turned 103 and was joined by fellow residents and care home staff to celebrate the occasion.

Not only did she enjoy her homemade birthday cake, but she was presented with flowers by Anchor’s Millfield care home manager Alison Corley.  

Ms Corley said: “I could listen to Doreen talk about her fascinating life experiences all day.

"There’s one story that amazes me.  

“She was walking to her father’s shop in Moston when a German bomber plane came flying over at rooftop level.

"She says she will never forget the moment she feared for her life, when her eyes locked with those of the pilot.” 

Doreen revealed her secret to reaching 103 is always keeping active by walking, climbing, or anything that keeps your body moving.

She also said it’s down to having a good family around you.  

The celebratory news also comes as over in Franklin House in Oldham, two other women who served during World War Two also reached phenomenal milestones.

Margaret Taylor, from Greenacres, worked in the Outer Hebrides in the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRENS) from the age of 18, and turned 101 on August 1.

Meanwhile, Elise Thaw was deployed to France where she worked as a spy for the British Army - and turned 100 on August 2.

Got a story? Email me Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk