A North London woman who smoked up to 15 cigarettes a day and enjoyed a glass of whisky has died at the age of 108.

Great-great grandmother Muriel Froomberg lived at home in St John's Wood with the support of carers.

“She was always full of life,” said daughter-in-law Barbra Froomberg, 81. “She had a great sense of humour, drank whisky two times a day and loved a cigarette." She had given up smoking at 102 because she said she wanted to live longer.

"The family are saddened to lose her but she has had such a wonderful and long life. We holidayed all over the world with her. She was really the loveliest mother-in-law.”

Four generations of family attended her 108th birthday party in February.

Born Muriel Lazarus in London in 1909, she married Archie Froomberg at Hampstead Synagogue in 1929. They had three sons, only one of whom — Richard, 79 — is still alive.

During the Second World War, the family moved to Northamptonshire, where Mrs Froomberg drove a lorry making deliveries to army camps.

“That job was right up her street as she loved being around all the boys," Barbara Froomberg said.

"She was the most gracious lady and once a day she would put on all her furs and go for walks round Regent's Park. She was very well turned out at all times.”