By Graham Huband

A DUNDEE centenarian has emerged as a contender for the title of Britain’s oldest driver.

Mrs Sheila Thomson of Broughty Ferry still regularly gets behind the wheel of her Peugeot 106 despite her advanced years.

The 105-year-old makes a weekly 15-mile round trip from her home to Invergowrie Parish Church, where she has worshipped for more than 60 years, and also uses her runabout to nip to the local shops.

The spry widow, who has previously featured in The Courier for her fund-raising efforts and her determination to keep driving beyond her centenary, is thought to have taken the oldest motorist title from Charlie Howarth of West Yorks, a mere slip of a lad at 101.

The plucky pensioner, who has lived alone since the death of her husband 20 years ago, has maintained an independent lifestyle thanks to the help of good neighbours.

Mrs Thomson learned to drive more than 70 years ago at a time when there was no statutory test. She insists she is comfortable on the road but admits her driving style is cautious.

Mrs Thomson, who celebrated her 105th birthday last month, said, “I don’t take the car into heavy traffic but I still take it on the trip to church.

“I don’t get nervous, I just take it as I find it. I take the quieter streets. You just have to watch what you are doing.”

The Rev Robert Ramsay of Invergowrie Parish Church said Mrs Thomson was a “remarkable lady” who is an example to us all.

He said she was still an active member of the congregation who attended church events and also pursued various other interests.

Mr Ramsay said, “She is just the most amazing person I have ever met in my life.

“When I came here first 10 years ago she was 95 or 96 but she never gave her age away. When she got to 100 she stopped trying to hide it from people.”

Longevity runs in Mrs Thomson’s family. Her grandfather William Anderson, who helped build the foundations for the doomed Tay Rail Bridge, died aged 92.