JAPANESE centenarian Taisaburo Ukai claims to know the secret of long life - plenty of Preston air!

As part of his birthday celebrations, 100-year old Taisaburo brought a coachload of friends and family back to the town where he spent 12 months - 79 years ago.

Taisaburo first arrived in 'beautiful Preston' in 1920 to spend a year training as an engineer with the English Electric Company, now GEC.

During his year in the town, he stayed with the Rhodes family at their house in Tulketh Road.

Since returning to his home town of Ashiya City, he has longed to return to Preston.

Earlier this week he finally made it backTown, bringing 29 other people with him, including his daughter and niece.

He said: "This was a wonderful present.

"Being in Preston was such a precious time for me and I have always wanted to return."

He added: "I think the key to long life is to get plenty of Preston air and I certainly got a lot of that."

Their busy, 14-day holiday schedule allowed for a quick lunch break in the town, before they set off to Stratford-upon-Avon. They plan to tour the country before finishing in London next week.

And with cameras clicking, the party met staff from the Tourist Information Centre, who handed out Preston memorabilia for the long-distance travellers to take home with them, including a limited edition Preston Millennium plate.

Taisaburo's daughter, Karou Igarashi, added: "Preston means everything to him and the people here have been so friendly today.

"Preston really is as nice as he says."

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