A CIRENCESTER resident has celebrated a remarkable birthday with family and friends.

Elsie Duffy marked her 109th birthday in style on Friday, March 15, with a party for family, friends, residents and staff at Hunters Care Centre in Cherry Tree Lane, Cirencester, where she lives.

The extraordinary woman is now the 31st oldest person in the country.

She was born in 1910, spent most of her childhood living in India where her father was in the British Army.

Returning to Britain, she married Maurice, who was in the Air Force for a number of years, and raised two daughters, Lindsay, who lives in Cirencester and Anne, who lives in Devon.

She also has two grand children and three great-grand children.

As well as living through two world wars, she has witnessed the invention of television and seen 20 different serving Prime Ministers.

When she was born, Edward VII was on the throne, Herbert Asquith was Prime Minister and Captain Scott was just about to set off for the Antarctic on his Terra Nova expedition. Steve Chamberlain, activities coordinator at Hunters, said: “Elsie is remarkable, and it is a privilege to work with someone who has reached such a great age. Elsie still has a fantastic sense of humour.

“She joins in with most of the activities within the home and is well known for breaking into song at every available opportunity entertaining both the staff and residents.”

The oldest known living person in the world is said to be Kane Tanaka of Japan, aged 116 years, 77 days. The oldest known living man is Gustav Gerneth of Germany, aged 113 years and 156 days.