A Sutton Valence woman has reached a huge milestone today - as she marks her 109th birthday to become one of Kent's oldest people.

Vera Pigott is enjoying a day of celebration at her care home in North Street.

A pianist is booked to perform throughout the day, a special lunch arranged and another letter from the Queen expected.

Youngest son Graham, who visits her every day, is delighted by his mother's longevity.

He said: "My sisters and I are amazed at what she's achieved. We can't think of anyone in the family who has had such longevity so we don't know where she gets it from.

"It's hard to say how excited she is right now, but I'm sure as the days come closer it will start to grow.

"Even now, she's still very sociable. She enjoys sitting in the lounge and watching people come and go."

Despite her incredible age, Mrs Pigott is only the 37th oldest person in the UK - and not even the oldest in Kent.

The oldest person living in the UK is 114-year-old Ethel Lang, from Barnsley.

She is the only person in the country to have been born while Queen Victoria reigned.

The oldest man is Philip Arthur Twibell, who lives in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, and is 108.

Mrs Pigott was born in East London and is the only child of Ernest and Kate Bull.

She wedded bank clerk Douglas Pigott in 1924 and was a full-time house wife and mother for 23 years.

After that, she became a copy typist and receptionist.

Douglas went on to become a chief cashier with the Midland Bank, now HSBC, and passed away in 1998.

During the Second World War the husband and wife served as air raid wardens in Broadstairs before moving to Bromley.

In 1981 they moved to Dickens Close in Langley, where they lived with their youngest son. In total, the couple had four children.

Daughter Beryl Felton was the first born and she now lives in Guildford aged 87. Donald arrived next, but he sadly passed away in 2009 aged 79.

Monica Houston, who now lives in Aviemore, Scotland, came third and is 79. At 67, Graham is the youngest by some margin.