SHE'S thought to be the oldest woman in Worcester - and Ann Foster, who turns 105 today, puts it down to eating her greens.

Mrs Foster, who lives in Greathouse Road, St John's, with her daughter, Esme, said: "I love my food and have always tried to eat healthily.

"I don't eat much red meat, and I have always liked my vegetables. My husband used to have an allotment and always brought things back from there.

"That, and not smoking, and drinking little, has got me to where I am today."

Her daughter put her mum's success down more to strong genes than anything else - that, and the fact that she was a fighter.

As she explained, this has been proven on more than one occasion during the past few years.

The 66-year-old said: "She is a tough little cookie. She has fractured both her hips in recent years, and come through the operations. Not many people would have done that

"Also, my eldest brother, Geoffrey, died earlier this year and yet she has overcome that too."

Mrs Foster was born in Birmingham and moved to Worcester when she was two years old, living first in Blackpole and then in a house off Droitwich Road.

She married the late George in 1921 and moved to Kempsey, near Worcester, where they had their first son, Geoffrey, in 1927.

Their second son, Kenneth, was born four years later, followed by their daughter Esme, in 1939.

In 1936 the family moved to Greathouse Road, where she has lived ever since.

Mrs Foster was due to celebrate her birthday with family - which now includes two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A party will be thrown tomorrow by the Live at Home scheme, a voluntary organisation which helps people live at home and which she has been a member of for several years.

"She still has a wicked sense of humour and is still very much alert.

"It is a wonderful age to reach," added Esme.

l Archives of old articles indicate that Mrs Foster is the oldest person living in Worcester. Do you know of anyone who is older? If so, please call the newsdesk on 01905 742244.