A woman has revealed that she's in the best shape of her life at 74 - despite constantly indulging in wine, bread, cheese and biscuits.

Norma Williams, originally from Liverpool, says she has more energy now than she did as a teenager, crediting the belief that she will never become 'old' behind her youthful glow.

She now leads an active lifestyle in Spoleto, Italy, enjoying daily nine-kilometre walks and workouts - and runs Umbria Holiday Rentals with her partner Laurie, 85.

But thanks to her fresh-faced looks and attitude, Norma's next ambitions are to become a catwalk model.

'Doctors tell me I have the health and fitness levels of a very fit 20-year-old,' she revealed.

Norma Williams, originally from Liverpool, says she has more energy now than she did as a teenager

'But for much of my 20s, I was overweight and would binge eat.

'I'd go to bed with several packets of chocolate marshmallows, huge bags of Wotsits and a freshly sliced white loaf.

'I was a wreck and felt bad all the time.'

She says the biggest difference between then and now is, simply, how much energy she has.

'My energy levels have increased exponentially over the past 50 years,' Norma explained. 'And that's what drives me to live the way I do now.'

The aspiring model believes mentality is key, stating she has never felt that the years passing by should dictate what she does with her life.

'I've always denied there is any such thing as "old age",' Norma said. 'I continue to improve every year and see no reason why I shouldn't achieve my dreams.'

She adds that it's important to 'remain relevant' as the years go by. 

'If you retire and do nothing further with your life, that's like putting one foot in the grave,' Norma warned. 'It's important to retain a spirit of adventure and to understand what's going on in today's world.'

She 'doesn't accept that today belongs to the young as we are expected to believe', adding it's 'up to the elders in our society to set examples and be role models.

Norma continued: 'As a 16-year-old girl said to me recently, "Norma, by the time I'm 40 I want to be like you!"

'All youngsters say the same thing: "When I'm older I want to look like you, Norma".

'I am an emblem of the future, but I think I look every second of my 75 years.' 

She admits people are 'generally shocked' to learn of her age when they meet her, with curious strangers often asking her how old she is. 

'But because I look so fit and am different to the stereotypical image we have of the "elderly", people find it hard to believe,' she explained.

Norma also stresses that she hasn't 'defied' age - rather, it has only benefitted her. 

'I show no signs of slowing down,' she added. 'If anything, I'm faster and have more energy with every year that passes.'

Norma, who lived in Blackpool as a child before moving to London at 17, had pursued modelling as soon as she entered adulthood, but found that her career was short-lived when she gained weight.

She spent years binge eating and calorie counting throughout her 20s, and it took three decades for her to finally feel in control around food.

Now, Norma's diet is surprisingly relaxed. 

'Breakfast consists of a wholemeal croissant filled with honey, plus a milky cappuccino,' she revealed. 'Sometimes two or three cappuccinos a day.'

Norma also drinks 'about six cups of tea a day, each with two sugars.

'I can demolish four or five packets of five savoury biscuits easily after my main meal,' she added. 

The fitness fan admits her diet is 'not perfect' - but has shared her 'two golden rules'.

'I never eat before my daily exercises and walk, which can sometimes mean not eating breakfast until 3pm, and I never snack between meals,' she explained.

Dinner is mixed nuts, 'mixed nuts, selections of meats and cheeses, wholemeal breads, grilled salmon or battered prawns, potatoes and vegetables'.

She also drinks 'one whole bottle' of wine every night. 

But while she enjoys treats, and insists she never counts calories, Norma is adamant on maintaining an active exercise regime.

Every morning from Monday to Friday, she gets out of bed to 'between 20 and 30 various reps with 4kg weights'.

'I later do another 20 to 30 reps while I wait for the kettle to boil for my morning cup of tea,' she revealed. 'Then I go for a fast 9km walk which takes 90 minutes, and on the weekend I rest.'

Now, rather than enjoying what would typically be the quiet years, Norma has her sights set on a goal as ambitious as any 20-something: dominating the catwalk.

'My ultimate dream is to walk the Milan catwalk,' she said. 'Why can't I strut my stuff alongside 17-year-old beauties without having the obligatory white hair?

'I want to show the world you don't have to look like the stereotypical old lady.'