A GREAT grandmother has marked her 105th birthday at the local pub.

Sylvia Blagrove, who is thought to be the oldest resident in Wickham Bishops, turns 105 today.

She was born on the July 28 1911 the daughter of a hotelier in Whitby, North Yorkshire, where she grew up and spent most of her earlier life.

It was there she met her future husband Paul Blagrove when the army comendered their hotel during the second world war.

Being married as a army wife she had many homes, spending three years in Detmould, Germany before returning to the UK and settled down in Radford near Woodstock in Oxfordshire, living there for over 60 years.

She was married to her late husband Major Paul Anthony Blagrove M.M. for 47 years until he died in 1988.

They had three children Gerald, known as Gerry, Anthony and Lynne.

Sylvia now lives with her eldest son in Kelvedon Road, Wickham Bishops and is believed to be the oldest person in the village.

When asked what she attributes to her ripe old age she said: "good health, good friends and family."

She also said her age was a result of being "extremely well looked after" by her daughter in law Wendy.

Mrs Blagrove known as “Blobs” or “Blobbins, will celebrate her birthday on Saturday when her relations and friends will travel from many parts of the UKto celebrate.

Besides her three children she has eight grandchildren and ten great grand children.

When asked what she attributes to her ripe old age she said: "good health, good friends and family."

She also said her age was a result of being "extremely well looked after" by her daughter in law Wendy.

Last week members of the senior citizens social Saturday club marked Mrs Blagrove’s birthday during their luncheon at the Chequers in Wickham Bishops.

The members of the “550” club, whose combined ages all add up to 550, enjoyed a drink and a meal.

Mrs Blagrove was joined by Margaret Miller-Wood, Shirley Baldwin, Louisa Stacey and Alfred Reynolds.