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Why the fuss? Woman, 107, says birthday no big deal

Bob Lane Irene Lane, an elderly woman with short grey hair, lies in a bed wearing comedy football-themed glasses.Bob Lane
Irene Lane turned 107 years old on Sunday

When Irene Lane was born, World War One was still being fought and David Lloyd George was prime minister.

Twenty-two more prime ministers and another world war later, Mrs Lane has celebrated her 107th birthday at Heathbrook House Care Home in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire.

But according to her 77-year-old son Bob Lane, she does not believe it to be that big of a deal.

"Her exact words were 'I can't understand what all the fuss is about'," Mr Lane told BBC Hereford and Worcester.

Bob Lane A cake with pale yellow frosting and pink and grey decoration around the edge with "107" in the middle. A topper reading "Happy Birthday" is sticking out of the cake.Bob Lane
Like all good birthdays, there was cake

Mrs Lane was born in Birmingham and worked as a seamstress in the Moseley area before marrying her husband Albert in 1940.

She became a stay-at-home mum when she had her two children and her son described has as "such a lovely mother" who loved to sew.

"She's always been prepared to do something for others, even if it's meant she has lost out herself on things," Mr Lane added.

Bob Lane An elderly woman with short grey hair lying in a bed smiling. She's wearing a pink top. The bedside table next to her has a lamp, a teddy bear, a picture of a man and a cup.Bob Lane
Mrs Lane's son Bob described her as "such a lovely mother"

As well as her two children, she also has six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and one great-great grandson.

"It's very special, she can't believe she is a great-great grandmother, but she's so proud," Mr Lane said.

Her husband died in 2012 and Mr Lane said she "took it quite badly at first" as they had been married for 72 years.

"They had a very good marriage. They were together 72 years so it must have been good. There were tough times but they weathered them together," he added.

But Mr Lane said his mother always showed great resolve and was always ready with a "friendly smile".

Bob Lane An old black and white picture of a girl with her hair tied up in a large white bow and wearing a white gown.Bob Lane
Irene Lane was born in Birmingham in December 1917

Asked the secret to her longevity, Mr Lane said she had never smoked and did not drink a lot of alcohol, although she would occasionally indulge in some her husband's homemade wine.

As part of her birthday celebrations, Mrs Lane has also received cards and visitors from North Bromsgrove High School and Catshill Middle School.

Members of her family have been visiting her throughout the week with the main celebration taking place at the care home on Sunday.

Heathbrook House An elderly woman with short grey hair and glasses lies propped up in bed. She is wearing a dressing gown and a rosette. A younger but still relatively elderly man with short grey hair on the sides of his head and a grey beard and a younger woman with shoulder-length blonde hair lean over her, smiling at the camera.Heathbrook House
Mrs Lane's family - including her 77-year-old son - helped her celebrate her special day

She was also due to receive her fourth birthday message from the Royal Family, which Mr Lane said would be a "nice touch" for her.

He said she remained modest, adding: "She doesn't see herself as someone who's up on a pedestal."

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