114 and going strong

The world's oldest person, 114-year-old Edna Parker, celebrated her feat yesterday by eating a slice of her favourite cake and saying she is amazed she has lived so long.

Parker, of Indiana, US, became the world's oldest known person with the death on Monday of Yone Minagawa, a Japanese woman four months her senior.

"It's hard to believe," said Parker, who was born on April 20, 1893. Although she never drank alcohol or tried tobacco and led an active life, Parker offered no tips for longevity.

Her only advice was: "More education."