LOWTON sports fiend Marian Gaskell celebrated her 70th birthday with a game of netball!

The fit septuagenarian, with a better toned body than the average 20-year-old, plays wing attack for her team, Daisy Hill Ladies, and is still a hot-shot and nippy about the court.

The former Leigh Grammar School girl, who hails from a sporting family, is still also a dab hand at rounders and is a netball umpire.

She claims she was always active and as a little girl did a lot of running.

So did I, but sadly I didn't have Marion's dedication because of work commitments, and as a result neither do I have the lean and muscular body.

What a great advert for old age she is.

NEW 80-year-old Lilian Henderson has sent me a prayer for those knocking on a bit. It contains advice which it would pay many to follow:

"Lord thou knowest I am growing older. Keep me from becoming talkative and possessed with the idea that I must express myself on every subject.

Release me from the craving to straighten out everyone's affairs.

Keep me from the recital of endless detail. Give me wings to get to the point.

Seal my lips when I am inclined to tell of my aches and pains. They are increasing with the years and my love to speak of them grows sweeter as time goes by.

Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be wrong. Make me thoughtful but not nosey; helpful but not bossy.

With my vast store of wisdom and experience it does seem a pity not to use it all. But Thou knowest, Lord, that I want a few friends at the end. Amen."