The widow of a Black Country businessman celebrated her 100th birthday by raising almost £1,000 for charity.

Louisa Mathilda Ashmore asked for donations for Sunshine Homes for Blind Babies.

She lives at the Birmingham Road, West Bromwich, property she shared with husband Joseph Ashmore, who died 17 years ago, at 89.

Mr Ashmore owned Bromford Iron and Steel, Bromford Lane, and Ashmores Autoengineering.

He built the first 500 homes after the war in Powis Avenue, Tipton, and Friar Park.

The couple had five children – Margaret, 78, Gerald, 73, Josephine, who died in 1939, Chris, 68, and Elizabeth, 60.

Chris is managing director of Great Bridge Street-based Ashmore Properties, while Elizabeth’s son, Jon Paul Ivey, is a racing driver.

Gerald Ashmore, a former Formula One racing driver, who lives in Brittany, France, was here for celebrations.

He said: “Our mother was born Louisa Mathilda Heron and lived in Corbett Street in Smethwick. Her father was a head baker.”

Mr Ashmore added his mother already had everything she would ever need and instead asked for donations to Sunshine Homes for Blind Babies.