A RESIDENT at Astley Hall Nursing Home, near Stourport-on-Severn, has been celebrating her 100th birthday this week with family and staff.

Mary Walford has lived at the care home for a number of years, but lived most of her life in Astley Burf with her husband Ernest. She celebrated her birthday with her only daughter, Glen, who flew over from Japan for the special occasion.

She was born in Erdington in Birmingham on February 22, 1915, before moving to Astley Burf at the age of 13. She married Ernest Walford in 1936, and the couple went on to have one daughter, Glen. Mary worked as a carpet picker and also was a teaching assistant at local Wilden First School.

Jayne Skidmore, who works at Astley Hall Nursing Home, said: “She had a party on the afternoon of her birthday with live entertainment.

“She had a huge birthday cake and was surrounded by flowers and balloons and, of course, she had her birthday card from the Queen.

“She really enjoyed herself, as she is usually not one for birthdays. She was smiling all day.

“Her daughter came over from Japan to celebrate with her on her birthday.”