A GREAT, great grandmother with more than 40 grandchildren, is celebrating her 100th birthday with not one, but two parties.

Winifred Oliver, who has lived in and around Worcester for more than 60 years was due to celebrate with friends at the Cranham Residential Home, on Cranham Drive, Warndon, today, and then have a second jamboree with 70 friends and family on Saturday.

Her daughter, Margaret Phillpotts, aged 67, said her mum still couldn't believe she had made it to the 100 mark.

"It's amazing how well she looks at 100," said Mrs Phillpotts of Elm Green Close, on Bath Road, Worcester.

"She has been a remarkable and very hard-working mother. At one time, she was looking after her own mother and one of my sisters, who was suffering from cancer. She has never shied away from hard work," she added.

Mrs Oliver was born in Ripley, Surrey, but moved to Worcester when she was still young.

During the Second World War, she joined the war effort by working in the Metal Castings factory on Droitwich Road, making munitions.

Mrs Oliver now enjoys the company of an army of grandchildren. She had four children herself, and now has 42 grandchildren in three generations - three are great-great grandchildren.

One of the special guests at Saturday's party will be Mrs Oliver's sister, Kate, from Hereford, who turns 99 later this month.

At her party, Mrs Oliver said she would donate any birthday money she received to the Acorns Children's Hospice appeal.