SHE'S Southampton's very own Supergran! At the age of 80, Doreen Brown is fighting fit following an exercise regime that would put many people less than half her age to shame.

Between keeping the garden in pristine condition at her Freemantle home, regularly cleaning the house and visiting sick friends, Doreen spends up to ten hours a week at the gym.

It's no surprise that the grandmother of ten and great grandmother of four - who suffers with osteoporosis - will be taking it all in her stride as this year's oldest participant in Sunday's Race For Life.

It was the death of her husband Jimmy, who suffered for ten years with lung cancer, that spurred on Doreen.

The couple, who were married for 57 years, first met in Calshot when Jimmy, then a sergeant in the Royal Air Force, said to Doreen, a member of the Women's Royal Air Force, "Come on, airwoman, put on your hat".

They were the words that were to seal a lifetime romance.

Doreen's life was turned upside down when she lost the love of her life two and a half years ago.

Jimmy died after problems with the circulation of blood - thought to have been brought on by the cancer.

"He suffered for ten years, but we didn't dwell on it - we just carried on as normal. He couldn't do the things he used to without getting out of breath and it made him frustrated. He would say he would get breathless just changing a fuse," said Doreen.

Jimmy was known as Bill to friends at Bramshott Golf Club where he was treasurer. He underwent six weeks of radiotherapy with Doreen at his side to help him through. "The cancer never grew or got worse - it just stayed dormant," she said.

"The doctors said they had never seen anyone like him.

"We had a fantastic life together. We went to different places overseas and saw a lot. I didn't ever want anyone else."

Doreen, who used to work at the Inland Revenue in the city, admits she got hooked on exercise when Jimmy was referred to a gym during his illness. "I went with him a couple of times. That's when I got the bug.

"When the gym was closed I started at Fitness First in Shirley with my friend Carol and we've been going three times a week ever since."

Doreen's fitness routine doesn't stop there - she goes on five-mile walks around Southampton Common when the weather is fine and has a rowing machine tucked away in her shed - a retirement present from her friends at Inland Revenue.

She also has a wardrobe of tracksuits and she's at her best when she's wearing her much-loved trendy Nike trainers.

The secret of how to look so good and be so active at the age of 80?

"I have never smoked, I don't drink alcohol, I don't eat butter, I don't drink tea or coffee and I won't diet," said Doreen.

"My family are wonderful to me. The only thing they tell me off for is that I don't drink enough when I'm doing all this exercise."

Doreen will be taking part in the 5k event with friend Carol, granddaughter Karen Dove, daughter Margaret and daughter-in-law Gill.

She said: "I'm doing this for my husband. That's why I carry on."

Don't miss the 20-page Race for Life special in Monday's Daily Echo.