Cheeky 103-year-old celebrates birthday with naked 'butler in the buff'

A woman got quite the surprise for her 103rd birthday - after she was served by a semi-clothed butler. Great-grandmother Joan Hardcastle MBE celebrated the birthday milestone at her care home, Laurel Bank in Lancaster, with a saucy twist.

The centenarian, who was born in 1922, had told the staff she wanted to celebrate her birthday in style and fancied a ride in a Limousine down to Morecambe promenade, so the staff put the word out locally.

The great-granny was picked up with her friends and was then treated to an afternoon tea at the Midland Hotel, where Joan was given the cheeky surprise.

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Joan, who has four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, was greeted with a champagne reception for everyone at Laurel Bank. However much to her surprise, the popular resident at the care home was personally served champagne by a butler - wearing only a bow tie and trousers.

Joan said: "I can’t believe people have gone to all of this effort just for me." She said the birthday treat was definitely a "birthday to remember" and she was "overwhelmed but so grateful" for the effort that had been made for the landmark birthday.

She was joined by staff, relatives, friends and other residents as she celebrated her landmark birthday. Among those staff and residents attending Joan’s very special day was fellow resident Dougie who is events announcer for the home.

Born in 1922, Joan has a long list of achievements. She became an air raid warden at 17 and wrote to soldiers on the front line for comfort during the war. She also volunteered for the Royal Voluntary Service for 60 years until she was 96. Joan helped out with Meals on Wheels, delivering to people younger than her, but her proudest moment was being awarded her MBE for her voluntary work.

Lyndsay Scott, General Manager of Laurel Bank, added: "We’re delighted to be celebrating a truly remarkable woman as she reaches this amazing milestone.

"Joan is such a popular resident who always has an interesting tale to tell, always helps others, makes us laugh, and tells us how it is. We wouldn’t have her any other way.”

Laurel Bank Care Home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, and it is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and .

Laurel Bank provides residential care and nursing care for 65 residents from respite care to long-term stays.

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