A CENTENARIAN who has celebrated her 105th birthday said her secret to long life was a daily ‘Martini for lunch’.

Tennis and golf fanatic Alice Chadwick celebrated her remarkable milestone being serenaded by nursery school children from Blackburn’s ‘St Mary’s Nursery at The Park’ based in Corporation Park.

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Mrs Chadwick was also joined by her nephews and great nieces at her birthday tea party at Hollymount Care Home in West Park Road yesterday.

The former Blakey Moor School pupil joked she put the secret of her long life down to ‘a Martini for her lunch’.

Mrs Chadwick was born on January 6, 1911, the year suffragettes stormed parliament in their battle to get women the vote and the ill-fated RMS Titanic was launched in Belfast, the year before it sank.

She was one of seven children and had a twin brother George. Claire Hallett, office manager at Hollymount Care Home, said: “She’s quite bubbly and likes talking to her friends.

“She loves playing dominoes and also likes to watch tennis.”

Mrs Chadwick grew up in the town’s Hawkshead Street with parents George and Alice Ward, who ran a prominent clothing club in the town.

After leaving school she met John Chadwick at a badminton club and they married in 1934 at the old United Methodist Free Church in Fielden Street and moved to a flat above his gents outfitters shop in Bolton Road.

Mrs Chadwick did not see her husband for five years when he was called away to war.

The couple never had children.

Mrs Chadwick lived alone until just a few years ago before deciding to move into the care home.

Tracey Ellett, area manager for St Mary’s Nursery, said: “Around eight children went down to celebrate with Mrs Chadwick.

“We have great links with the residential home and it’s really important that the nursery has that community link.

“The children love going down and the residents really enjoy themselves as well.

“We get invited down whenever there is something special going on which is great.

“We were last down there singing Christmas carols which was a really nice event.

“The children get a lot out of going there and it’s great to see the different generations mixing.”