IT WAS party time in the New Forest for two pensioners when both celebrated their 101st birthday.

Jessie Johnson celebrated her birthday at Dibden Purlieu - and Ralph Stock enjoyed his birthday ceremonials at Lymington.

Jessie lives at Muir House in Dibden Purlieu. She was taken out to lunch by her niece Gillian Bundle before having a party with fellow Muir House residents in honour of her birthday.

And Ralph had a quiet night at his Lymington home - he is waiting for a hearing subduer because despite his age he hears things too loudly.

Jessie was born and bred in Southampton and worked at the Eldridge Pope wine and spirits shop in Above Bar - opened by her father at the turn of the century - until she was 62.

She moved into Muir house when it opened in 1981 and now enjoys the occasional outing to Southampton Water.

Ralph - originally from Kent - made searchlights during the First World War and rockets in the Second World War.

He spent much of his younger years working and travelling in America and Europe before settling in Hampshire in 1946. In the 1970s Ralph moved to Hillside Road and 20 years later still fends for himself there.

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