A PERSHORE woman believed to be the oldest living resident in Worcestershire has celebrated her 106th birthday.

Kitt Bogg, who lives at Heathlands Residential Home, marked her birthday last Wednesday with a personally signed card from the Queen and a visit by the Archbishop of Birmingham.

Mrs Bogg said: "I do not think there is anything in particular that has helped me live to this age, but I worked all my life and believe in hard work. I have sung quite a bit as well in the church choir and at concerts."

Having lived during three centuries and survived two world wars, Mrs Bogg has had her share of adventure. As a teenager she trained with a convent choir in Belgium, but was forced to escape the country in 1914 shortly after the Germans invaded. She spent the duration of the First World War in her home town of Scarborough, making soldiers' uniforms.

Mrs Bogg went on to marry her husband Jack and the couple spent more than 50 years together, having one son Billy. During the Second World War Mrs Bogg, who has two grandsons and one great-grandson, oversaw the making of weapons on behalf of what is now the Ministry of Defence.

The family lived in Birmingham for 15 years before finally settling in Pershore more than 30 years ago. Mrs Bogg and her husband were active members of the Royal British Legion and the town's Holy Redeemer Church.

Mrs Bogg, who lived by herself until two years ago, is a devout Catholic and was visited by the Archbishop of Birmingham, the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, last Friday. She said: "I appreciated him coming, he sat and held my hand and gave me a blessing. I appreciate all the visitors I've had over the past few days."