ONE of Bournemouth's oldest women is awaiting an eye operation - at the age 103.

For Nellie Hammond getting her sight back will be the best birthday present she could hope for.

Yesterday family and friends joined Nellie at Muscliffe Nursing Home in Tolpuddle Gardens to celebrate her 103rd birthday.

The home's activities co-ordinator Rebecca Trotman said: "Nellie has an incredible memory and can remember back to when she ran a bake house with her late husband Victor who passed away in 1976.

"She has a great sense of humour and always has a story to tell.

"The only thing Nellie finds frustrating is that she is partially blind. Her sight in both eyes has deteriorated in the past couple of years.

"She is going to be examined by a specialist soon and is awaiting an operation to have her sight restored."

Nellie, originally from Surrey, lived alone at nearby Strathmore Road, Bournemouth, before taking up residence at Muscliffe Nursing Home at the age of 101.

The home's chef baked Nellie a birthday cake and she was given a plant to mark the occasion.

"At 103, she must be one of the oldest women in Bournemouth," added Rebecca.