A FORMER children’s nurse celebrated her 108th birthday with her 103-year-old sister and a spot of afternoon tea.

Rachel Stanyer received a card from the Queen and marked the milestone on Saturday with sister Rosemary Jennings and other family and friends at St David’s Residential Home in Rhyl, where she lives.

Mrs Stanyer was born in Thornbury, Gloucestershire but worked as a children’s nurse at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Rgyl until she met her husband to be Joe, a farmer.

After their marriage in 1939, the couple lived in Marli, near St Asaph, and in 1948 they moved with their two children, Rosemary and Terry, to farm near Trefnant.

Mrs Stanyer has lived at St David’s Residential Home since July 2009. She has four grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and in September will have her first great-great-grandchild.

Mayor of Rhyl Cllr Alan James and Mayoress Wynne Mullen-James also paid a visit to the celebration.

Daughter Rosemary Williams said: “My mother very much enjoyed the celebration, which was a delightful afternoon tea provided by St David’s

“Although her father was from Somerset, her mother was local to Cilcain and Nannerch, so when she was three years old the family, including her older sister Gwen, moved up to Brynford near Holywell where her sister Rosemary was born in 1914.

“She joins in with the activities at St David’s when she feels able. Her secret to a long life is hard work and clean living.”

The mayor and mayoress were joined by the chair of Denbighshire County Council, Cllr Pete Prendergast, and Rhyl East councillor Tony Thomas.

Mrs Williams added: “We would as a family like to thank St David’s residents, staff and management for their kindness to Rachel and the wonderful celebration provided.”