BORN when Queen Victoria was on the throne, Annie Eastham, has seen a great deal of change since her birth in 1901. Stevenage resident Annie has celebrated her 105th birthday at Martins House residential home in Jessop Road surrounded by her family. She

BORN when Queen Victoria was on the throne, Annie Eastham, has seen a great deal of change since her birth in 1901.

Stevenage resident Annie has celebrated her 105th birthday at Martins House residential home in Jessop Road surrounded by her family.

She was born in Altrincham - one of 13 children.

Her son Harry Tadman, 63, said: "She worked really hard up until 20 years ago. She started working in the mills but eventually she left to help her mother bring up her siblings."

Age 14 she worked as a post girl delivering mail and after that she helped out on a big estate where her father worked as a groundsman.

Many of Harry's memories of his mother surround the country pub, The Queen's Arms, his parents ran in Leece in the Lake District from when he was nine until he was 24.

Mr Tadman said his mother is well looked after at Martins House and always enjoys visits from school choirs and other singers invited to perform for residents.

He said: "She likes to join in with the activities and she likes singing hymns. She also likes visits from her family."

Annie has two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She moved to Martins House seven years ago to be closer to her family.