WELLINGTON’S oldest woman celebrated her 106th birthday with friends, family and a 106-candle cake.

Grace Rasch, who has been congratulated on her advanced age by the late Queen Elizabeth and her successor Charles, turned 106 on Wednesday, June 19.

She had enjoyed a steady stream of guests over her birthday week, culminating in literal fireworks with a sparkler-topped cake.

Joined by nephew, Martin, his wife Alison and her twin sister, Grace said she was thrilled to have been visited by so many well-wishers.

She was also joined by her neighbours, who she said were “really good friends.”

Martin added: “We live a long way away and it’s nice to know they are so good to her.”

Grace, who was born in Southampton in 1918, did her part for the war effort during World War 2 when she worked as an ambulance driver in Harrow.

After a career in accounting, Grace supported her late husband in his career as an investor, before moving to Bilbao in Spain.

Formerly a keen tennis player who played for her then local club, Grace said keeping active and the odd drink of gin had contributed to her longevity.

Grace was written to by Queen Elizabeth II on her hundredth birthday, and King Charles has now written to her twice, the first time on the occasion of her 105th birthday and again on her 106th. Grace joked it was “well remembered” and that they “wouldn’t have forgotten” because her great niece used to work for Prince Phillip.