There's little doubt that Mary Keir is one exceptional lady.

Just hours away from her 110th birthday, she speaks with the greatest clarity about life over the past 11 decades and as soon as our interview is over, starts work on her daily crossword and suduko.

"This is what's so important," she says in that strong Carmarthenshire lilt. 

"It's about keeping the brain active as our brains have got thousands of neurons that control the whole body."

Mary was born in St David's on March 3, 1912, the son of a blanket weaver.

"It was a wonderful place to grow up as we'd go to the beach to swim and play in the countryside all day long."

In those days, Welsh was the main language of St David's so naturally this was the language spoken throughout Mary's childhood.

Sundays would be spent attending Ebenezer Chapel and in her spare time she learnt the piano, reaching Grade 8.

"I loved music but although my father wanted me to go on and study it, I knew I wasn't a genius."

So at the tender age of 21, Mary left her childhood home and made the long journey to Llandough Hospital where she trained to be a nurse.

She worked there for 12 years as a ward sister and then, after marrying her husband Douglas, moved to Llansteffan.

"These were probably the happiest years of my life.

"Douglas and I enjoyed very similar things such as walking and cycling and we'd explore the countryside around us for miles."

At the age of 40, Mary gave birth to her son, Robert. 

"Doug made a little seat for him on the back of his bike with a little cushion attached to it and we all had so much fun."

In the 1950s she began working as a community nurse.

 "I'd drive around the back lanes of Llansteffan with Robert in the back seat.  I was only going to do it for 12 months but I ended up doing it for three years."

Meanwhile Mary is looking forward to her 110th birthday celebrations which will take place at the Awel Tywi Residential Home, Ffairfach, this Thursday. 

"The staff are wonderful and have asked me what I'd like for dinner that day.  So it's going to be a Christmas dinner with turkey and all the trimmings.  We can't wait."