ONE of Worcestershire's oldest residents has celebrated her 100th birthday in the company of family and friends.

Molly Mitchell was given a huge party at Shrawley Village Hall yesterday with family coming from as far as Australia to mark the occasion.

She had been hoping to see in her landmark birthday with her twin sister Cathy Powick.

However, Mrs Powick died just a week before the pair's 97th birthday in 2004.

Mrs Mitchell's niece, Valerie Powick, said: "It is a shame that they couldn't have both celebrated this birthday together. They were always very close."

Mrs Mitchell is a resident at Astley Hall care home, at Astley, near Stourport, where her sister also lived.

Carol Wallington, matron at the home, said: "She doesn't know that it's her 100th birthday. We have told her and she has opened her cards but her memory is not so good anymore."

The sisters were born in Stourport and went to the town's Tan Lane School. Their maiden name was Pinnegar and, although they were always close, they were described by anyone who knew them as "like chalk and cheese".

When they celebrated their 90th birthday, more than 100 friends and relatives, including 18 from Australia, attended. At yesterday's party there were around 50 people celebrating with Mrs Mitchell. Mrs Powick said longevity ran in the family, as the twins' own grandmother lived to be 99 and their father died just before his 92nd birthday.