A "WICKED wit" is something that doesn't fade with time, according to the family of a Kempsey centenarian.

Ruth Thomas celebrated her 100th birthday yesterday (Tuesday) at the Lawns Nursing Home in the village near Worcester.

More than 60 people visited Mrs Thomas to celebrate with her at the home and Trevor Geens, vice chairman of Kempsey Parish Council and partner of Mrs Thomas' daughter-in-law, Lynette, said she had a "fantastic day".

"Ruth is so well-known and well-loved that staff at the care home said they couldn't believe how many people had come to see Ruth," he said.

"She had a wonderful day, and she got so many cards and flowers."

Mrs Thomas was born in Hereford but moved to Kempsey when she was 20 to work as a parlour maid at the Elizabethan manor, Nash house, until she met her husband.

The pair took over the Queen's Head pub in the village for three years until Ruth started running the local swimming pool in 1954.

"Ruth became very well-known through the swimming pool, which she ran for 27 years. Many people remember her fondly from those days as everyone loved going to the pool back when we had long, hot summers," Mr Geens added.

"We have all been told off by Ruth at one time or another for messing around in the pool, and some things don't change — Ruth is still quick to tell you off if you deserve it and she still has a wicked wit and a great sense of humour. The pool was on the site of where the Lawns is now so it's nice that Ruth has gone back to that. She loves it at the Lawns but she was living alone until only last year, cooking herself a meal every day. She is a remarkable and lovely woman and she has had a brilliant day."