THE widow of a former top police officer has celebrated turning 103 years old.

Rona Gaylor, of Morton House nursing home in Fernhill Heath, marked the special day yesterday with cake and a party.

On Saturday her son Neil Gaylor and daughter Isabella Stanley took her out for a birthday lunch.

Mrs Gaylor was married to the former assistant chief constable of West Mercia Police Tom Gaylor who took up the position in the 1960s. He died 20 years ago.

She was heavily involved with voluntary work and gave much of her time to the Women’s Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS).

Nursing home staff said she was “fantastic” and “very kind”.

“She’s still mobile and she’s still telling us what to do,” said Sandra Jones, nursing home sister. “She’s a fantastic woman, enjoys going out for her lunch and in the summer out in the garden. And she’s being looking forward to her birthday. She got the chance to go out with her son and daughter and we also planned a celebration for her on the big day.”

Mrs Gaylor, who lived on the Hindlip Hall police headquarters estate in the Orchard House for a period, was born in Wakefield in West Yorkshire and also lived in Kidderminster, Whittington, Malvern and Stroud in Gloucestershire where her daughter Isabella still lives.

She said: “We’re having a celebration with staff, they’re all very kind to me. I’m very content.”