Born in Victorian era, now on Facebook at 111

This is Vicky Southan — the West Midlands' oldest person who has just marked her 111th birthday.

The super centenarian was born in the reign of Queen Victoria but still embraces modern technology and has more than 200 friends on Facebook.

Mrs Southan — the fourth oldest person in England — celebrated her landmark birthday surrounded by friends and family in Walsall yesterday. And she was given a 'Vicky 111' number plate for the front of her zimmer frame.

The snooker-mad grandmother-of-two added yet another birthday card from the Queen to her growing collection.

And the secret to her amazing longevity - simply drinking lots of tap water.

A party was held at Alrewych Court in Northgate, Aldridge, which she visits twice weekly, and she led fellow pensioners in a lively rendition of old favourite My Old Man Said Follow The Van.

Birthday girl Mrs Southan said: "I've had a really good day."

And while she may have been born before computers were even invented, Mrs Southan even has her own Facebook page.

Granddaughter Lynn Adams and friend Dilly Forth, 51, decided to try to make Mrs Southan the oldest living person on the popular social networking site.

She now has more than 200 friends and has received good will messages from around the world.

"I have tried to explain Facebook to her but she's not quite with the concept of it. We just tell her she has got lots of friends," said Lynn, of Solihull. "She's just wonderful, so kind and generous she's great. She's got so much enthusiasm, the doctor says she's got years left."

Mrs Southan has even rubbed shoulders with the Royal Family when she and daughter Jean were invited to the Queen Mother's 100th birthday party in London back in 2000.

The super centenarian, who was born in the same year as the Queen Mother, was sponsored to attend by the Express & Star.