The cause of her death, in an old people's home in western Belgium Friday, was not given, but her doctor noted that pensioners over the age of 100 are naturally more at risk during cold weather in December.

"She always had lots of energy. Her family and I hoped that she would live to celebrate her 110th birthday next April," said geriatric expert Lucien De Cock, according to the Belga news agency.

Centenarians are more at risk of catching respiratory illnesses as cold winter weather arrives, he said, noting that Belgium's oldest ever man, 110-year-old Louis Marion, died in late December 2003.

Belgium has been gripped by snow and sub-zero temperatures for the last several days, although milder weather returned Saturday as revellers prepared to welcome in the New Year.

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