A KIDDERMINSTER woman can lay claim to being the oldest resident in the district still living at home.

A card from the Queen took pride of place on the mantlepiece as Victoria Hiles celebrated her 105th birthday with her family and friends.

Mrs Hiles is fiercely proud of her independence but is grateful for the help of carers who call on her every day. a card from the Queen and a copy of the Shuttle/Times and News book Royal Days for Victoria Hiles on her 105th birthday.

Only a fall last year has hampered her mobility, forcing her to use a frame to help her get about.

"I used to get about without even a stick until I had my fall but I have to use a frame now," she said.

Mrs Hiles was a dressmaker, although she worked in personnel for many years and was a welfare officer at the Summerfield weapons factory during the Second World War.

She was married to a journalist on a Birmingham evening newspaper, who died in the 1960s, and has a son Derek and three grandsons, Craig, Timothy and Jeremy, and four great grandchildren.