A woman believed to be the oldest person in Worcestershire celebrated her 109th birthday in Malvern.

Elizabeth Guise-Berrow toasted her milestone with family and friends at a tea party on Friday.

West Worcestershire MP Sir Michael Spicer and a host of journalists were among those who called in to wish her 'many happy returns'.

The birthday girl recalled many tales from her life, including how she enjoyed a private meeting with Pope Pius XII.

Miss Guise-Berrow first came to Malvern at the age of one and has lived in Malvern Link and Wyche Road.

She moved to Woodgate Residential Home, Albert Road North, 29 years ago.

"I've travelled abroad and covered practically most of the world but I wouldn't want to live anywhere else," she said.

"The scenery in Malvern is something I like and the pure air means medically it's a very good place in which to live."

Gill Holt, acting manager at the home, said: "She's marvellous. Even at 109 she's independent and despite being quite frail she can still feed herself."

Miss Guise-Berrow, whose birthday cards included one from the Queen, is two years younger than Britain's oldest woman, Galdwys Hawley, of Chesterfield. The oldest person in the world is Japan's Kamato Hongo, aged 114.