A LOCAL lady, who used to run a bed and breakfast in Ledbury, reached the remarkable age of 107 this week.

Gwendoline Tilbrook, who is now a resident at Birchams Grange in Eastnor, was born at Hopton Castle village in Shropshire on November 22, 1909, almost five years before the outbreak of the First World War, and her parents were farmers.

Longevity seems to be a feature of her family.

Miss Tilbrook had a sister, called Lily, who was her younger sister but lived to 100 and one month; she was also a resident at Birchams Grange.

A Birchams Grange spokesman said that Miss Tilbrook now enjoys a quiet life,"but she loves but loves her music, reading, knitting and she enjoys a glass of sherry from time to time".

The spokesman added: "She is one of a kind, loves the countryside and the comfort and care that Birchams Grange provides to her."

Miss Tilbrook is also fond of visits from friends and family, on her birthday and on other days.

Miss Tilbrook, however, has enjoyed a varied and busy life.

She attended a private ladies college during the late 1920's.

Later she moved to small farm at Castle Morton, where she helped her mother with running the farm, during the late 1930's.

Miss Tilbrook later moved to Bank Crescent in Ledbury, where she owned and ran a bed and breakfast business, until she retired in the late 1970's.

She did not move out of Ledbury, however,

Before moving to Birchams Grange, she lived in Biddulph Way.

Miss Tilbrook moved to Birchams Grange in August 2003