NEIGHBOURS in a West Moors care home totted up 202 years between as they celebrated their birthdays within days of each other.

Esme Bannister and Irene Millman enjoyed their 102nd and 100th birthdays respectively, at Colten Care’s Brook View.

Esme turned 102 on November 26, and Irene received her official 100th birthday card from the Queen on November 29.

Both ladies celebrated their birthdays with parties at the home, surrounded by their friends and family.

Irene’s son, Tony Holt, said: “It was lovely to celebrate mum reaching 100 with everyone around her. She has been quite poorly in recent years, but she certainly enjoyed the party.”

Esme said: “I really don’t think I warrant much attention for being 102. It’s luck more than anything. Although I do think I benefitted from my mother’s healthy cooking as a child and I’ve never driven, so I always walked everywhere.

“I’ve probably stayed on top of things because I’m Irish and I talk a lot!”

Brook View manager Tracey Aldin said: “Both Esme and Reeny are very popular members of our community here and we were delighted to be able to join in the fun for their birthdays.

“They have rooms very close to one another and Esme jokes that they are in the ‘naughty corner’.

“It’s a real privilege and extremely fascinating to be able to talk to them both about their interesting lives and their views on the world.

“We hope to celebrate many more wonderful birthdays with them.”