TOE-TAPPING Samuel Harris has danced his way to his 100th birthday.

The keen ballroom dancer celebrated his centenary at the Marriott Hotel in Pipers Way on Sunday with wife and life-long dance partner Evelyn, who is in her 90s, and their family.

The milestone birthday is not the only cause for celebration in the Harris household this year. The couple will also mark 70 happily married years in September.

Daughter Pamela, 67 from Old Town, said: “I am so proud of dad for reaching this age. When he was 90 we thought he had done well and 10 years down the line he is still going strong.

“Mum and dad have three cards from the Queen now, one for their 60th wedding anniversary, one for their 65th and now dad’s birthday – I should imagine they’re known at Buckingham Palace now.”

Born in 1910 Mr Harris has lived through two world wars. In the Second World War he became a leading fireman with the Auxiliary Fire Service in Portsmouth, a city which suffered heavy bombing during the blitz.

During his service he met his wife to be and the couple married in 1940.

They had two daughters, Pamela and Jean and in 1950 the family moved to Swindon where Mr Harris worked at Garrards until retirement.

Mr and Mrs Harris lived in Haydon Wick for 30 years before moving to Queensfield where they remain today.

The couple have been dancing since they began courting in the 30s, joining dance groups in and around Swindon and travelling to the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool regularly over the last three decades.

They are already looking at the brochures for their next dancing trip this summer.

Mr Harris said: “I don’t have a secret to being 100 I think it’s just good luck and good health and I’m grateful for that.

“It’s funny, I don’t feel any different to how I felt as a young man – I just can’t do things quite as well.”

Pamela said: “I think it is wonderful they still dance, especially as it is something they have been doing since they were courting. When Jean and I moved out they began taking classes and they have been dedicated ever since. They have a wonderful story.”