THE UK's oldest person has backed Worcestershire County Council's celebrations for 70 years of adult social care.

Grace Jones, who turned 112 on September 16, signed her name inside a special birthday card to mark the 70th birthday of adult social care.

It follows the card being signed by councillors from all political parties at Worcestershire County Council following a meeting of full council this month.

At her birthday party with friends and family at Buckland Manor on Monday, Mrs Jones, who lives in Broadway, Worcestershire, and is known as 'Amazing Grace' to all her friends, said: "I've had such a lovely birthday and I certainly don't feel 112, I feel more like 65.

"I'm more than happy to sign this card."

Councillor Adrian Hardman, deputy leader and cabinet member with responsibility for adult social care, said: "We want as many people as possible to support our adult social care at 70 celebrations so it's great that Grace has signed the card.

"As a country we celebrated the 70th birthday of the NHS and we believe that adult social care and the people who dedicate their lives to caring for people also deserve the same amount of recognition."

Grace was presented with a bouquet of flowers by the County Council's chairman Brandon Clayton and his wife Anita at the special occasion which was organised by Grace's daughter Deirdre McCarthy.

Adult Social Care was launched when The National Assistance Act was passed in 1948 and has allowed social workers and social care assistants to help many thousands of people in Worcestershire to lead independent, dignified lives.