A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER who was born while Queen Victoria was on the throne is celebrating her 107th birthday today.

Beatrice Richards (pictured above), who lives at the Holmwood Care Centre in Kidderminster, is thought to be the oldest person in the Wyre Forest, if not Worcestershire.

But she was not popping any champagne corks to celebrate the amazing achievement - she puts the secret of her longevity down to being a life-long teetotaller.

Instead, the centenarian was set to enjoy a piece of birthday cake and a brew at the care home with friends and staff today. She was due to go out with her family for a celebratory meal on Sunday.

Senior care assistant Gill Simner described Beatrice, who lived in her own flat until three years ago, as "absolutely amazing".

"She is a marvellous woman and even at her grand old age she can still walk with help and can communicate well," she said.

"It is absolutely amazing to reach the age she has. We think she must be the oldest person in Worcestershire.

"She was having a lie-in this morning but we plan to celebrate when she wakes. I know her daughter is coming to see her and she is going out with her family at the weekend."

The pensioner, who originates from Cradley Heath, was born before the Boer War broke out and flying had been invented. She has four grandsons and seven great grandchildren.

Her daughter, Daphne Knight, said her mother still considered herself a Black Country girl at heart.

"She's always enjoyed saying she's a child of the Black Country and I think she has lived so long because of her Black Country grit."