Oldest resident reaches 107

Hawkes Bay's oldest resident turned 107 yesterday. Florence Finch lives with her daughter, Ellen Kirk, aged 81, and her son-in-law, 84, in the Napier suburb of Onekawa.

Mrs Kirk says her mother has kept remarkably good health. She has breakfast in bed every morning and then listens to a talking book.

The five generations of Mrs Finch's family include two infant great-grandchildren who live in England, where she came from to join her daughter almost 30 years ago.

Mr and Mrs Kirk's son and daughter-in-law have come from Britain for Christmas and Mrs Finch's birthday.