A DROITWICH woman has celebrated her 100th birthday with her family, friends and neighbours.

Margaret Barker celebrated reaching the milestone on November 12, 100 years to the day she was born in London in 1916.

During the Second World War Mrs Barker worked in a Government ministry in central London and was also a member of the ARP, with frequent evenings spent watching for enemy aircraft from the roof of a school.

Like many of her age, she spent several years separated from her husband who, as an officer in the RAF, served mainly in Canada helping to train pilots.

In 1956 she moved to Worcester and settled in Riverview Close but after five decades, in 2007, she moved to her home in Droitwich to be closer to her daughter Marian.

After her husband's death in 1968, Mrs Barker brought up their two daughters, four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

She also became the library assistant at Worcester College of Education, where she worked until retirement in 1981.

Mrs Barker remained a keen gardener until a few years ago, and was an active member of the Worcester Flower Arranging Club, until her move to Droitwich. She served on the committee and was club secretary for many years.

Mrs Barker has always been independent, only giving up driving in her early 90s.

She lives in her own home with the help of her daughters, son-in-law and carers, who all helped celebrate the special birthday with her.