A former bomb shelter warden, who was born in Oxford before the first aeroplane took to the sky, celebrated her 105th birthday today.

Tess Gerrett received a congratulatory message from the Queen when she celebrated with her daughter Barbara Turner and staff and residents at Green Gates Nursing Home in Hernes Road, Summertown.

Mrs Turner, 73, said the world was a very different place when her mother was born. The Wright brothers were yet to make their first piloted flight, Queen Victoria's reign had only just come to an end and the idea of television, computers or mobile phones were inconceivable.

Mrs Turner described her mother, who has lived in the Green Gates for 12 years, as a contented person who enjoyed a very happy marriage.

She said: "She married my father Will in 1930 and they were together until he died. Mum was born in St Clements and the pair have always lived in Oxford. During the war they were both bomb shelter wardens.

"My mum and my dad's family both knew each other and they were introduced when they met on the street."

In addition to Barbara, Mrs Gerrett has two other children - Mary, 76, and Robert, 69 - five grandchildren and 14 great- grandchildren.

She lived in Walton Well Road, Oxford, with her husband for 47 years before his death in 1986.

After the war, Mrs Gerrett worked as a secretary and a university treasurer at various Oxford locations, including St John's College.

Green Gates receptionist Jane Dix said: "She is lovely. She is always smiling and telling us she loves us. All the staff and residents love Tess here.

"She's an avid reader of Agatha Christie, and actually met her."

Tess is not the only person to have passed the milestone at Green Gates. The nursing home is also home to Albert Dunkley who celebrates his 103rd birthday on Sunday and Kathleen Bridges who is 100. Florence Webb will celebrate her 107th birthday in Faringdon next week.

Mrs Gerrett shares her birthday with the UK's oldest man, Henry Allingham, 111, from East Sussex.