Nine residents born in the same year as Queen Elizabeth ll were the VIPs at a special platinum jubilee tea in Stafford on the 29h May. The guests were joined by the Mayor of the Borough, Councillor Philip Leason MBE, Stafford MP, Theo Clarke, and Council Chief Executive, Tim Clegg, in the Fitzherbert Suite of the town’s Rugby Club in Blackberry Lane.

The 96-year-olds included former Prisoner of War, Kurt Gasch, who became a church warden in Bradley - and Ben Milner, a former Chairman of Stafford Borough Sports Council who previously met the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh when they visited the County Showground in 2006.

They were treated to music and memories with a more than 100 picture slide show of Her Majesty through the years - including many from the time The Queen and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, visited the county town in 2006. The Mayor on that day was Joyce Farnham MBE, now 92 years old, who shared recollections of spending time with the Queen, during the afternoon.

Among the guests were members of the public nominated by local councillors for the work they do in the community. But the day belonged to the 96-year-olds who enjoyed tea, sandwiches, cake and a Victoria Sponge baked especially for the occasion.