FIVE generations of an Oxford family came together to celebrate the birthday of the head of their brood.

Nora Murphy, who celebrated her 90th birthday on Monday, has six children, nine grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson, six-month-old Lakye Byrne, all living in the Oxford area.

Mrs Murphy moved to Oxford from County Kildare in Ireland almost 60 years ago, and has lived in Nuffield Road, Headington, ever since.

She marked her birthday with a party at the Cowley Workers Social Club, in Between Towns Road, on Saturday, where most of her 40-strong family, plus friends, joined the celebrations.

And the family had a celebratory tea party on Monday.

Son Fred Byrne, 67, from Rose Hill, granddaughter Lisa Morrison, 41, of Greater Leys, great-granddaughter Lianna Byrne, 23, and her six-month-old son great-great-grandson Lakye, both from Headington, joined the fun.

Mrs Murphy said: “I have had a lovely time with everyone.

“It was a beautiful day and lots of people came to the party on Saturday, There must have been 70 or 80 people there.

“I am lucky to have such a large family. They have been no trouble to me at all over the years – they are all beautiful.”

The family are expecting another addition in August, when Mrs Murphy’s granddaughter Maxine Scragg is due to give birth to her sixth child.

Mrs Murphy said: “We are very excited. Maxine said she will be stopping at six children, just like I did.”

Lianna Byrne said she was very proud of her ‘Nanny Nora’.

She said: “She is very kind and loving and she has had a lovely birthday with all of us here. It will be nice to be able to show Lakye a picture of us all together, the five generations, when he is old enough to understand.”

awilliams@oxfordmail.co.uk