Viral Tipton twin turns 102 with special party where she invited her favourite Asda staff

Tipton twin turned 102 this week (July 20) and celebrated with a special party where she invited her staff from her local Asda.

Lilian Cox first shot to fame on her 95th birthday alongside her twin sister Doris Hobday when the pair appeared on social media to provide a regular and positive outlook to life and were named the oldest pair of identical twins.

The pair charmed presenters when they appeared on BBC Breakfast, ITV's Good Morning Britain and This Morning, with funny jokes about wearing their drawers inside out and their fondness for Hollywood heart-throb Jason Statham.

Doris sadly passed away in January 2021 after contracting coronavirus and her funeral procession paused at Asda’s Great Bridge store.

And it seems the surviving twin Lilian is carrying on the love for the store as she celebrated her birthday this year with a party, inviting supermarket staff to celebrate with her.

Sending her birthday wishes, a spokesperson for Asda’s Great Bridge store said: “A very happy 102nd birthday to much-loved customer Lil who still shops at our store once a week.

“Asda Great Bridge community champion Parv attended Lil’s special birthday party at Tipton Social Club and took a card and presents from the store.”

Parv, the store’s community champion added: "She was so happy to see us, her face just lit up. She was over the moon.

“She kept telling people that I was her Asda friend.

“I missed her party last year as I was away, so this year when she invited me she said 'make sure you're not away again.'

“It was a lovely night and I was honoured to be invited.

“Lil's still as bright as a button and doesn't look her age at all. She looks great – she hasn't changed a bit.

“She's still very chatty and is full of humour.

“She still comes into store once a week with her daughter, Viv. I try to see her every time she comes.

!Everyone here loves Lil, she walks round the store talking to everyone."

The party was part of a week of events Lilian has had to celebrate her birthday, which included a 1950s themed party on Saturday (July 18), another party with her bingo friends at Tipton Social club on Monday (July 20) and will be celebrating with another party where she lives today (July 22).

Born in Kings Heath in Birmingham on July 20, 1924, Lilian grew up in Tipton after the family moved there because of her father getting a job there and she said that while the town could be a bit rough and ready, she loved it.

Lilian went to school at Ocker Hill school and built a life in Tipton, working in a nail factory.