Lilian's looking good for her 109th birthday

And Mrs Rhydderch made sure she looked her best for the occasion, as she does every day, by having her hair done, wearing a dress in her favourite colour, blue, and putting on her pearls.

She was expected to celebrate with other residents at the South View Residential Home in Church Stretton, where she has lived for 11 years.

Members of her family, who include her daughter, Pat Percy, three grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren were attending.

Relatives say a good diet is behind her longevity.

Daughter Pat, 81, said: "She was always a good housewife, quiet and unassuming, the way housewives used to be with washing on one day and ironing the next."

"Her branch of the family has always had a strong constitution with many living well into their 90s, although no-one has lasted as long as her.

"She always ate well and had a good diet – every day we would either have meat and veg at lunchtime or fish.

"She limited sweet things even before it became common knowledge that they were bad for you.

"She used to love singing too and in her youth had a very good voice."

Singing is something Mrs Rhydderch still enjoys.

Senior care officer at the home, Lyn Dyche, said: "She enjoys a good sing-song, particularly wartime songs."

"Mrs Rhydderch still ensures she looks her best every day. We call her our 'Queen Mum' as her favourite colour for outfits is blue and she always insists on wearing her pearls. We are all very fond of her very privileged to have her living here."

Mrs Rhydderch was born in the Cannon Hill area of Birmingham in 1904, and after being evacuated from the city during the Second World War spent much of her married life as a housewife in Halesowen.

She met her husband David when she was working of a book keeper for Ten Acres and Stirchley Co-operative Society in Selly Oak in Birmingham. The couple were married for more than 30 years.

Mr Rhydderch helped to form the National Health Service alongside Nye Bevan after the Second World War and was later chairman of West Midlands Regional Hospital Board. He was awarded the CBE for his work and died in 1981.