Care home staff went above and beyond to celebrate a resident’s 103rd birthday.

Carers at Strathmore Lodge in St Albans surprised May Parsons with a birthday party to celebrate another year of her long life.

May, who has been in the care home since 2012, had a buffet-style tea with her family and other residents. Balloons and banners were also put up by the carers to commemorate her 103rd birthday. She had her usual glass of sherry and her favourite food - freshly made doughnuts and pork scratchings.

May was born in Norfolk and moved to Manor Road in Wheathampstead in 1937 with her husband Edward, also known as Ted, who fought in the Second World War.

Her daughter, Hazel Biggs, 77, said: “She ended up meeting my father when she was in Harpenden; her hat had fallen off on a windy day and he ran after her with it and that’s how they met.”

In her earlier years May worked as a cook for a family in Milton Road, Harpenden, and also took in Land Army girls during the Second World War while her husband was away.

Hazel continued: “During the war he went to Italy and North Africa for the whole term and came home in 1945; he was a bricklayer and so he was called upon to do different jobs because of his trade.”

May, who was married for 64 years, is still active according to her daughter, Hazel said: “There’s nothing wrong with her brain at all, she remembers much more than I do.”

Rose Bluefield, deputy manager of Strathmore Lodge, added: “May is close to all of our hearts; she is one special lady so we wanted to surprise her. She had a lovely day and she was happy with it.”