IF you want to live to be 100 take Mrs Hilda Massey's advice and avoid all alcohol - except sherry.

That was her tip on Wednesday when she celebrated her 100th birthday at Half Acre Nursing Home in Radcliffe.

Born and bred in Radcliffe, Mrs Massey (right) grew up in Seed Street. Her parents, Sarah and Albert, ran a chip shop on Ainsworth Road. She attended St Andrew's CE School and Bury Convent before finding employment making cloth at the Samuel Lomax Mill.

She was married to the late Albert Massey and the couple lived in Lowton Street.

Mrs Massey was a dedicated member of the Radcliffe branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and a leading member of the congregation of St Andrew's Church. She moved into the nursing home five years ago.

On Wednesday it was decked out with balloons, streamers and flowers to celebrate the momentous event.

Although she has no children nor siblings, she has many godchildren who joined in the celebrations.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.