THE town mayor paid a visit to Clarice Hepworth at Ty Dewi Sant residential care home on Wednesday September 30 to join her in celebrating her 105th birthday.

This was the latest of a several recent visits by cllr Rosemary Cook to centenarians in the town.

Mrs Hepworth (nee Marsh) is also known as Gladys and was born in Salop Street. She has lived all her life in Penarth.

Now 105, the card she received from the Queen on the occasion of her 100th birthday remains with her.

Despite spending her last birthday in hospital after falling and breaking her hip, Mrs Hepworth has come back strongly to ring in her latest milestone this year, a source of real pride for the family, they said.

She married a local young man from Lavernock and went on to have three daughters.

She presently has six grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and five great great grandchildren. According to her daughter, Gwendoline Rayner, she has never smoked or drunk and she only goes the doctor when it is "absolutely necessary".

Mrs Hepworth has lived through two World Wars and has witnessed Penarth change over the years.

Cllr Cook said: "I felt very privileged to meet Clarice and to see the congratulations card from the Queen. Her obvious delight to be with family members produced a joyful occasion for everyone."

The staff and councillors at Penarth Town Council would like to wish her a very happy birthday.