STAFF and residents at the Kimberley House nursing home in Salisbury celebrated a special event on Saturday - the 104th birthday of Jane Powell.

Mrs Powell, a headteacher who retired 44 years ago, before some of the nursing home staff were even born, is confined to bed now but she still enjoys her favourite food, chocolate, and until a few months ago also liked a daily glass of whisky.

Born in the Welsh valleys, Mrs Powell was the second-youngest of seven children.

She spent many years as a teacher in Marlborough, ending her career as a headteacher. Mrs Powell came to Salisbury when she retired and moved into Kimberley House in 1999.

Mrs Powell was born just after the turn of the century and is one of Salisbury's oldest residents.

In her life, she has seen two world wars, the arrival of the car and flight, right through to space travel and computers.

She has a surviving niece who visits her as often as possible, as do a friend and a god-daughter.

Right: Jane Powell, four-years- ago on her 100th birthday.