AT 111 years old today, Catherine ‘Katie’ Masters is the third oldest person in Britain and the oldest Scot on the planet.

The supercentenarian from Stanford in the Vale, near Wantage, will today receive a letter from Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond congratulating her on the achievement.

Born in Dundee in 1899, during Queen Victoria’s reign, Mrs Masters is one of only four Britons still alive who were born in the 19th century. She has survived two world wars and a smoking habit which she only kicked in her 80th year.

But Mrs Masters, who lives in the Grange Care Home, said: “It doesn’t feel any different, but I can’t do the things I used to.”

But she said she had no ambition to be the oldest person in the country.

Her grandson Robert McInnes, 48, who lives in Littleworth, also celebrates his birthday on the same date and is taking Mrs Masters out for a pub lunch. He said: “We’re as surprised as anyone that she keeps on going.”

Anel Viljeon, Mrs Masters’ nurse, said: “She’s wonderful. She’s always cheerful and never complains. She loves people to come and have a chat with her and watching Strictly Come Dancing on TV.”

Mrs Masters was married twice and had one child. She has two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Last year, she was surprised by a 40-minute visit by Prince William after she complained the Queen had sent her the same design of birthday card five years running. She said she was happy the prince had got engaged and hoped Kate Middleton was the right person for him.

Guinness World Records spokesman Mary Oladapo said: “Catherine Masters is currently the third oldest UK resident and the oldest living Scot.”

The older Britons are Margaret Fish, from Bedfordshire, who was born in March 1899, and Violet Wood, from Kent, who was born in September 1899.

The oldest ever Briton was Charlotte Hughes, who died in 1993, when she was 115 years old.