JOHN Barton showed that age is no barrier where sport is concerned - leading his crown green bowling team to victory at the age of 101!

The centenarian led a team of comparative youngsters from his nursing home, Blakewater Lodge in Blackburn, against two other homes.

John, originally from Little Harwood, has lived in Blakewater Lodge for two-and-a-half years.

He was the oldest member in a team of eight from the home who beat tough competition from Longshore House and Feniscliffe Bank nursing homes.

The competitors used special rubbery balls that are lighter than standard crown green balls and the event was the culmination fo six weeks of indoor bowls for entrants.

The friendly was held at the Alexandra pub in Blackburn and formed part of a council programme to keep older people in local authority care active, fit and healthy.

John, a former senior clerk for the water board, took up bowling in his retirement - 40 years ago - and has played for the Roe Lee bowling team that won many competitions in a local league.

He said: "The first secret of a long life is good genes. The second is to lead an active life.

"I have always been a very keen walker and only gave up rambling in the Lake District in my 80s.

"Even when they gave me a free bus pass I didn't use it.

"It's only been about six months since I lost the use of my legs - I couldn't even walk upstairs these days!"