BERNARD Sparks celebrated his 100th birthday surrounded by friends at a party in Ridgeway House, Wootton Bassett, his home for the past 11 years.

A card from the Queen and a visit from the Mayor Bill Roberts, were highlights of a memorable day.

"I'm lucky to be so fit and active," said Bernard, who still goes out shopping for less mobile fellow residents.

He still exercises daily and is nimble in mind and body. "I still do press-ups and deep breathing," he said. "My father was a carpenter. He made me a pair of stilts and I could run on them, and go up and down stairs."

During the Second World War Mr Sparks played in a dance orchestra.

"We used to walk across muddy fields to dances for the troops and the Land Army girls. Sometimes it was hard to tune our instruments with the piano.

"But I haven't played my violin for almost a year, because the notes are too small to read."

Bernard was widowed in 1972, and moved to Wootton Bassett, where a niece lived, in 1982. He took to the air for the first time in a helicopter which was a prize in a raffle at Ridgeway House. "That was wonderful," he said.

"I am lucky to be in such good health. I don't smoke or drink, I go to bed early and I enjoy life."