Eric was a festive birthday boy in 1906

One hundred years old on Christmas Day - Happy Birthday to Eric Osborn.

He was born in Stockport on December 25 1906, and now a century later he will be celebrating in style with roast turkey and all the trimmings, and hoping for a shot of his favourite whisky.

He lives in Ardath House in Hastings Road as does wife Marjory.

They reached their 73rd wedding anniversary in November.

"It does seem quite a long time", said Eric.

"If she didn't nag me I would probably not be alive."

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Marjory, in hospital recently following a fall, sends him a note every day to ask how he is.

They will get together for his birthday and enjoy lunch together.

Eric likes reading - particularly detective novels which are not too demanding - and watching television. His room is full of photographs - of his son Mike, daughter Judy and grandsons Stephen and Craig.

Also on his shelves are the testaments to his sporting history - awards for swimming and sailing, and a number of trophies illustrating his triumphs in bowls, for instance there is the 1980 Hastings Bowls Tournament Presidents Cup.

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As a young man he enjoyed rugby, tennis and hockey. Later on he played squash until injury forced him out of the game.

"I played squash till I broke my toe - I banged it against the back wall. Ouch."

His work was mainly as a designer for an american oil company called Aminoil - he designed a drilling rig which could be moved across the desert in a day, when previously such an operation would take at least four days.

"There was a 135 ft mast," he remembers.

"They used to take them down, but I re-organised, and moved them as they were. An unusual sort of job, isn't it?

"I mostly worked in desert countries," he said.

"They are the only places you find oil, you know."

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A tradition at Ardath House is for chef Ray Smaldon to cook for residents whatever they desire for their birthday - whether it is cheesy chips or lobster.

Because Eric doesn't want to miss out on the traditional Christmas turkey, he will be enjoying his birthday meal a day late, on Boxing Day.

Ray said: "He asked for a nice piece of prime rump steak. Funnily enough that's exactly what he asked for last year.

"So he will be having Scottish prime rump steak with saute potatoes, mushrooms and a selection of fresh vegetables. And he has specifically asked for a lager to go with it. Then he is having Viennetta biscuit forest fruit ice cream."

Deputy manager Pearl Wardle said: "Eric is very laid-back, he takes everything in his stride. He never get flustered about anything."