THE GRAND old age of 105 has been reached by a Petersfield resident who keeps smiling and likes a midday tipple or two.

It was no April’s Fool when Bob Hunt, born in 1911, hit his incredible milestone on Friday, April 1.

He has been living happily at Steep House Nursing Home in Tilmore Road since October 2013, and staff there say he has the most wonderful outlook on life”.

When he came into a very different world, before both world wars, it was the coronation of King George V, suffragettes were taking their fight for votes to the streets, Captain Scott was making his last, ill-fated, push to the South Pole, and the first non-stop air flight to Paris had been made.

When asked the secret to his longevity, Bob said it was important not to take life too seriously.

“Don’t worry – if things are going to happen, they are going to happen.”

He admitted to being something of a bon viveur too. “I enjoy good food, and it is excellent here at the home, and whisky – two is better than one –?with my lunch daily.”

Bob may have been born when the average life expectancy for men in Britain was just 54, and there were only a hundred centenarians in the country, compared with 9,300 today, but he is still raring to go, and has plenty of interests, both for the mind and the body.

“I like to do quizzes to keep my mind active,” he said. “And I take part in a gentle exercise programme, to keep my body supple.

“I love to cook too, which I do with the activities team here, and help out in the garden. I also love to have a sing-a-long with another resident who plays the piano.

“I am always wanting to try new things.”

Home manager Lijo Renji said they ensured residents like Bob enjoyed their lives to the fullest.

“We are one big happy family,” she added.