Alpacas help 105-year-old celebrate milestone

Annie Allen celebrated the milestone with a party alongside family and friends - as well as Roo and Jack

A former Shropshire teacher has celebrated her 105th birthday by meeting two alpacas who visited her at her care home.

Annie Allen celebrated the milestone with a party with family and friends and was joined by Roo and Jack, dressed in yellow satin bow ties around their necks.

Ms Allen, knowns as Nan, is the longest-serving resident at The Croft on Castlecroft Road in Wolverhampton, having moved in shortly after her 100th birthday, the home said.

“I’ve travelled quite a bit and seen so many things, but I’ve never met alpacas before - they’re wonderful,” she said.

The mother-of-three, grandmother to five and great-grandmother to four formerly taught at St Leonard’s CE Primary School in Bridgnorth, Shropshire.

Her daughter Cathy Silbermann said her mother had always been very active which is what she would attribute her long life to.

“She never learned to drive and walked everywhere," she said.

"She was good swimmer and keeping herself fit and eating well have always been very important to her. She does like a treat but everything in moderation.”

Ms Allen's family said she thoroughly enjoyed the day

Roo and Jack posed for photos during the party and toured the home while attracting attention from other residents who petted and fussed over them, the home said.

“Nan is the loveliest person - we’re delighted she enjoyed meeting the alpacas,” the home's activities co-ordinator, Paul Hipwood, said.

“We made a beautiful cake for her and she received a card from the King to mark such a special occasion.

"She had so many members of her family here, it really was quite a party.”