A WOMAN who spent years serving tea and refreshments to thousands of Londoners was last week pampered herself as she celebrated her 101st birthday.

Edith Knibb, nee Claret, who lives at The Lawns residential home in Alvechurch, marked the occasion on Friday with a residents' party.

She was born near London's Regents Park in 1904 and, following the death of her father when she was eight, was educated in a convent until 15.

She then worked as a nippy - a waitress associated with the J Lyons & Co brand of tea - at a Lyons Corner House tea room and assisted in a milliners.

At 23 she married Albert and became a housewife. They had one son and two daughters. The son died three years ago.

After 50 years of living at the same north London address, Mrs Knibb, then 82, moved near her youngest daughter, Rosalind Tyler, in Redditch. She is now enjoying life at The Lawns.

Mrs Tyler said: "Mum may not initiate conversation but if she overhears something you're talking about she'll put her point of view across. She lets you know in no uncertain terms what she thinks.

"She has a very low boredom threshold and is always wandering around the home on her walking frame, she must do hundreds of miles a week. "She has improved so much since moving to The Lawns. She's an amazing lady."

She was joined at Abbey Park Hotel on Sunday by family and friends, including eldest daughter Thelma Pain, for a second party.