A LETTER addressed to 'A Tenbury newspaper' has revealed a local woman to be among the elite group of centenarians living in the country.

Martha (Pat) Parker, from Orchard Close, has just celebrated her 104th birthday.

Born in Cumberland on April 10, 1899, she had seven brothers and sisters. Her father, a farmer, moved the family to Warwickshire, and then to Esher and for many years Pat and her sister Elizabeth ran a teashop near the station at Claygate.

Bombed out of London, the teashop took a direct hit in 1944. She said: "We had to move. We found a cottage at Bircher and opened a wool shop in Leominster High Street, catching the bus to town every day until we retired."

Moving to Berrington Road, Tenbury, and later Orchard Court, the two sisters lived happily in retirement until Elizabeth died eight years ago at the age of 99.

Sprightly and articulate, Tenbury's birthday girl was delighted with the flowers from our readers which were chosen for their perfume because of her blindness. Thanking them she said: "I can't see them but I can touch them, and they smell so nice."

Asked how life has changed since she was young, she said: "The whole world has changed, but sadly not for the better."

Still able to look after herself, Pat puts her longevity down to a good night's sleep, a busy life, laughter and keeping well and happy.

She said that she was far to busy to get married but her remaining nieces arranged a small party celebration at Orchard Court.

"Life has been very pleasant and good to me, and I was fortunate to find Tenbury Wells. I enjoy it here, the people are friendly and particularly nice."