ENJOYING a spot of lunch in the summer sunshine, a Hamp-shire pensioner was guest of honour as she returned to her former home at Solent Breezes Park in Warsash.

Returning after ten years away. Joan Collins and fellow residents of Highoaks House retirement home in Locks Heath spent the afternoon sipping cool drinks and took a ride in a vintage car as they celebrated a day out at the seaside holiday park.

Joan was no stranger to the popular caravan site, as together with her late ex-husband Vic Collins, a speedway hero of the 1930s and former chairman of Fareham Council, she had owned the land and first turned it into a peaceful holiday destination after the Second World War.

"It's very different now. It was never this big," she said.

"We didn't have nearly as many caravans or the amenities."

Joan, 91, said her husband Vic had bought the land to turn it into a speedway track, but the couple decided to make it a holiday home after someone said it was the perfect place for a quiet break.

"It seems that people liked to visit from places like the Midlands to spend time on the shore and watch all the ships and liners sail by," said Joan, who was born in neighbouring village Hook and has lived close by all her life. Married to Vic, who served in Lee-on-the-Solent as a Private during the war, for more than 30 years, Joan has a daughter and two granddaughters, who all enjoy trips to the holiday park.

Recalling some of her favourite moments, Joan said she always remembers having to make daily deliveries on a small three-wheeled bike they used in the park.

"I never tried the speedway, though I left that for Vic!" she said.