AN animal lover enjoyed pre-100th birthday celebrations surrounded by all creatures great and small.

Norah Harris, who lives at Cranham Residential Care Home in Warndon, Worcester, was treated to a surprise trip to West Midland Safari and Leisure Park in Bewdley on Thursday.

Mrs Harris, accompanied by her daughter Meryl Bradshaw and Meryl's husband David, got the chance to feed Indian rhinos, giraffes and tigers before being taken to see the lions and to meet Sutton, the park's new baby elephant.

She also got to watch sea lions being fed and fed lemurs before coming face-to-face with a python.

She was then treated to a birthday meal with cake.

Mrs Harris, who moved to the Sanctuary Care care home two years ago, said: “I had a lovely time. It was smashing. I held a stick with meat on the end and fed the Bengal tigers through the pen and enjoyed every minute of it.”

Mrs Harris said she believes the secret to reaching the milestone birthday, which she will celebrate on Monday, is "having a good family around".

She said: "I don’t feel any different now — my knees are tired but I have had a good life and am enjoying every day.”

Wendy Jackson, the park’s public relations officer, said: “It was a real pleasure to welcome Norah and her family to the park today to mark the start of the celebrations for her very important birthday next week. It was clear to see how much Norah loves animals. It was truly a privilege to be able to spoil such a lovely and remarkable lady.”

Mrs Harris has two daughters, Meryl, who lives in Droitwich and Patricia, who died over three years ago, nine months before her son William passed away.

On Monday, Mrs Harris will be treated to a party at the home.

Deputy manager of the home, Karen Jeffries, said: “Norah is an absolutely amazing woman — you would never believe she was 100. She is incredibly independent and is a real lady. She can be very witty and we are so happy to have her here with us.”