A PENSIONER celebrating his 100th birthday today revealed his secret to a long and happy life.

But family and friends who gathered to wish Allan Lord a happy birthday wouldn't have guessed it was women and wine, as he is tee-total!

Allan, of East Bank, Barrowford, received 80 birthday cards as well as several presents to mark the event as well as enjoying a celebration meal at the Pendle Inn, in Barley, with 40 friends and family.

The former wood cutting machinist attends whist drives each week, lives in his own house and only depends on a walking stick when he goes outside.

He said: "I said to one person that you need women and wine for a successful life and then I tell them that I am teetotal. I am nearly always joking with people and I am still enjoying myself.

Mr Lord was born in East Bank, in the house his sister now owns, and lived in the street until he married his wife Daisy Smith in 1927.

He has since lived in Gisburn Road and Church Street before moving back to another house in East Bank in 1933.

He said: "When we were courting we always went dutch and shared everything. I trusted her so about six months after we got married I told her that if she bought me tobacco and gave me some spending money I'd hand over my wage packet and it worked well."

Mr Lord worked at Walter Lamberts timber merchants in Nelson for more than 40 years before spending the last 12 months of his working life at Bob Stotts caravan shop, in Charles Street, Nelson.

He said: "When my wife died I started painting from photographs. I'd never had lessons but I was quite talented. I used to lean over a board in the window to paint but when I got to about 90 I started getting backache and had to give it up.

"I play whist at Barley, Blacko, Roughlee and Barrowford and I make a few mistakes but they don't mind. Anyone getting old must have an interest of some kind. I think anyone who hasn't got a memory when they are older is like being bankrupt.

"I get picked up and taken to whist so my only exercise now is a walk down memory lane."