LOUVAIN Mountford is 100 years old and is making history as she is the first in the family to reach this milestone.

The Stourport centenarian with the unusual name celebrated her big day with the Mayor of Stourport, Councillor Cliff Brewer, who joined her with former Tesco and other work colleagues, friends and family at the Stourport Working Men's Club on her birthday and also one day later at the supermarket in the town.

The Mayor and Louvain arrived at Tesco, which she helped open last year, in a 1930 Austin 12 car supplied by David Mountford - a close relation. In joining her, the Mayor has recognised that Louvain has lived in Stourport for all her life, having been born and still living independently in Areley Kings. Her parents were also local to Astley and Stourport.

Louvain has three sons, eight grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, many of whom still live locally in the Wyre Forest area. She had a number of jobs, starting her working life at the then Worths Carpets and ending her working life at the Tesco Supermarket in Lombard Street.

Despite being a true Stourport woman, Louvain's unusual name has different origins. It was chosen following a suggestion by her godfather who had been serving with the British forces in Europe during the First World War. Louvain is a Belgian town that was the subject of mass destruction by the German Army in 1914. The Mayor of Louvain, Louis Tobback, has recognised her historic, unique link with his town by sending a gift to her.