A Ledbury woman celebrated her 105th birthday surrounded by family, friends, staff and fellow residents at a care home.

Barbara Collcutt, a resident of Ledbury Nursing Home on Market Street, marked the milestone with a tea party, music, floral arrangements, sweet treats, and even a birthday card from the King.

Mrs Collcutt was originally from London, where she met her husband, Frank.

<hr>

Read more: 27-year wait for Herefordshire footpath order decision

<hr>

The couple were married in Jersey in 1947, then relocated to West Sussex where they raised their three daughters.

Mrs Collcutt then set up and ran a launderette in Goring.

The family moved to the West Midlands in the 1970s.

Following Mr Collcutt's death in 1999, Mrs Collcutt and her daughter Sally, along with her son-in-law Terry, moved to Cyprus.

By April 2022, Mrs Collcutt had garnered celebrity status in the Cypriot town of Paralimni as the oldest resident.

In October 2023, due to health concerns, she returned to the UK and began residing at the nursing home.

Mrs Collcutt, supported by her large family of six grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren, believes her longevity is genetic, as her relatives all lived to ripe old ages.

Speaking on the celebration, care home manager Jozsef Ambrus said: "Barbara is such an interesting lady – and even as she celebrates her 105th birthday, she continues to have a youthful enthusiasm that is infectious for all of the staff and residents alike.

"We’d like to thank everyone who came for making it such a special day."