A NEWQUAY resident could well be the oldest woman in Cornwall after having celebrated her 105th birthday last week.

Eileen Knight, an active and very independent lady, turned 105-years-old on June 20 and marked the impressive milestone with a little sherry and cake.

Born in 1907 she was born under the reign of King Edward VII and according to oldestinbritain.webs.com, is 7 years younger than the oldest living woman in Britain.

Her Grandson, Brian Green, said: “On the day Gran had all the people from her block of flats down for a glass of wine and a little sherry and cake - they were having a drink at 10 'o' clock in the morning!”

Formerly of Newton Abbot, Eileen moved to South Wales in the early part of her life before moving to Cornwall where she put down her roots in the Cornish surfing town of Newquay.

Despite being 105, Brian said Eileen is very much an independent lady, needing little help.

“She tells me she has to look after all the old people in her block of flats,” Brian joked. “She goes out three or four times a week on her own. She's very sprightly really.

“She has some help on a Monday, but then Mum just looks after her really.”

After having moved to Newquay, Eileen married Les Knight and had one child - a girl called Shirley, Brian's mum.

Eileen and her husband opened a small post office in Newquay - an occupation she worked in all her life.

Brian said: “I I have so many memories of Gran growing up. She used to make us all pasties on a Saturday so we'd go round to hers and have them.

“She used to live in a caravan just on the outside of Newquay that we used to visit when we were younger. She'd make us a picnic and we'd sit outside eating that.”

It appears Eileen has always enjoyed baking and even now makes pasties for the residents in the flats she lives in.

“Gran was going on holiday on her own until she was 99!” said Brian.

“She used to go to Paignton - for a month! She used to take herself to a hotel and enjoy the four weeks on her own; quite amazing really.”

She has now got her second birthday card from the Queen - the first when she turned 100 and the second; this year.