JOLLY pensioner Gladys Barnes puts down the secret of her long life to the occasional tipple.

And the sprightly Worcester lady cracked open the bubbly yesterday as she celebrated her 100th birthday.

Mrs Barnes was joined by friends and relatives at The Firs Rest Home, in Malvern Road, St John's, where she lives, for the party.

"I can't believe I'm 100 - I've had no aches or pains and I'm quite happy I've lived a full life," she said.

Mrs Barnes was born in Kidderminster and educated at St Mary's School in the town.

She began work at Kidderminster's Brintons Carpets and remained in the town until the age of 24, when she met her husband-to-be Ray Barnes in a pub.

The couple married in Kidderminster's St Mary's Church, and they moved to Windsor Avenue, St John's, Worcester.

She gave up work for 10 years after marrying, but returned to work when her husband died in 1952, taking up a job as head carpet picker - identifying faults - at the former Woodward Grosvenors Carpet Factory in Kidderminster.

And the pensioner, who has no children, retired at 65 and moved to the rest home five years ago.

Asked if she had any hobbies, she said she had been "too busy working" but put down her long life to drink - favouring beer and Guinness.

"A tipple occassionally at night is what's kept me going," she added.

Former fellow worker, Patricia Barnfield, from Dryden Close, Malvern, also attended yesterday's celebration party.

She has known Mrs Barnes for 53 years and was taught the tricks of the trade by her.

"It's wonderful she's reached 100, but then she's not got any children so she might not have had any stress," she joked.

"It's an achievement because every year she's said to me 'I won't be here next year' but she is. She's been like a second mother to me"