Queen Victoria was still on the throne and Great Britain still had its empire when Ivy Clack and Ethel Robinson were born. The pair are now celebrating their 103rd birthdays.

Ivy, of Acomb, and Ethel, who lives at the Grimston Court Residential Home, York, are among the oldest residents in North and East Yorkshire.

Mrs Clack, a widow, celebrated with a drink of bramble wine that she had fermented herself 30 years ago, from the brambles by her house, where she still lives today. And though a council care assistant visits her every day, Mrs Clack lives independently, and is often seen tending her front garden.

She was presented with a bouquet of flowers by Councillor Bob Fletcher, chair of the city council's Social Services Committee.

Coun Fletcher said: "Mrs Clack clearly values her independence and in recent years we have been able to support her in this by providing help through our Home Care Service.

"This has meant that Mrs Clack has been able to retain her independence in her own home without having to consider whether to go into residential care."

Mrs Robinson originally comes from Manchester, and has been married twice - the second time when she was a youthful 75 years of age.

She has lived in Dunnington and Stamford Bridge, and worked in an office for much of her working life, apart from a stint as a telephonist during the war.

She taught herself dressmaking and art, which she kept up until the age of 97.

Moira Atkinson, senior carer at the Grimston Court home said Mrs Robinson was "a real character, a wonderful lady."

"She still has a good appetite and likes a chat - she can still hold her own, and she may be 103 but she still has an eye for the gentlemen!" said Mrs Atkinson.

Mrs Robinson's nephew, from Cheshire, will be coming down to visit her for today's celebration, although it will be a smaller affair than her 100th, which saw a big family party.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.