'Bowls and puzzles keeps me going' - 100-year-old

A retired teacher who just celebrated her 100th birthday has said being part of her local bowls club "keeps her going" and she "feels lucky" to reach the milestone.

Dorothy Robinson, from Warrington, hosted 100 people at her 100th birthday party at the weekend, asking her guests to donate to BBC Children in Need instead of giving her gifts.

She said spending time in "the open air" throughout her life - walking, gardening and playing sport - had helped her stay healthy and happy.

"The best thing I did when I retired was to join the local ladies bowling club in the park just down the road because they’ve been great, great friends," she added.

She added: "I can't play bowls any longer but I've become a marshal."

Mrs Robinson said she did, however, manage to do a bit of dancing at her birthday party.

"So many people came and they all seemed to enjoy it, and I enjoyed it too," she said.

Mrs Robinson worked as a primary school teacher in Warrington all her working life, taking time off to have her three children, Michael, Peter and Janet.

She said: "I have three carers now, and one of them I used to teach."

Born in Fenton in Staffordshire, Mrs Robinson met her husband Arthur in Scarborough, where he was serving in the Royal Air Force.

They married soon after WWII and set up home in Warrington, where she has lived ever since.

She said she felt lucky to be alive and have such a wonderful family, which now includes five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Her daughter Janet Marshall, said: "We all feel really lucky to have Mum around."

"She's still active, keeps up to date with current affairs and loves a puzzle," she said.

"We've had some really lovely messages, and people are still donating to Children in Need."

Mrs Robinson said she asked for charity donations for her birthday "to help children who are not as fortunate as I've been, or my children."

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