LONG-term pipe puffer Joe Drew has celebrated his 100th birthday.

Joe, who used to work for British Gas as a fitter, celebrated the big day yesterday with his family, including five grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

And at the bash, at his home in Dr Behr Court, Pinehurst, his family handed over a cricket bat with 100 years engraved in it.

The former player, who was known for his fielding, also got a new pipe and a plenty of birthday hugs and kisses.

Although Joe was born in Bath he now calls Swindon home and says he has numerous tricks for staying so handsome.

"I do my exercise twice a day, in the morning and before I go to bed," he said.

"I also do most of my own cooking and shopping.

"I also walk to the shop to get the paper every morning.

"I don't drink either. My one vice is smoking cigars, I started when I was 10 with my friends behind school.

"I have never tried to quit, and my doctor even said that I was a heavy smoker.'"

He added that one of the things he can remember is George V and Queen Mary's coronation in 1911.

His family, who staged a surprise birthday party for him in his flat on Sunday, said he has an amazing aura.

"He is just such a special person and we all love him to bits," said his granddaughter-in-law Sharon Reade.

"He is a very special person, he is very sharp and has a great sense of humour, he can remember things a lot better than me," she said.

"Gramp only stopped coming camping with us last year. He would always come on the family trips.

"He is so kind and gentle. He loves smoking his pipe too.

"His granddaughter had to traipse all around Swindon trying to find his Erinmore mixture because a lot of places stopped selling it.

"She eventually found it and we were pleased about that.

"A lot of his grandchildren have had a lot of death around them early on and so he makes them realise that you can live to a ripe old age. They are so lucky to have him around."

Joe also said his favourite cricketer was Sir Ian Botham and his favourite meal was fish pie.

When asked what age he thinks he will make it until he said he will just keep going on and on.