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100 years old and life and soul of party

30/ 8/2006

STILL singing and dancing at the age of 100 - Charlie Dickenson deserves his title of great-great-grandad.

Charlie, who celebrated the magnificent milestone this week at Balmoral nursing home in Mottram, was born in Collyhurst but lived for a long time in Droylsden.

The former wood machinist, who once bred budgies and chickens, was still enjoying foreign holidays well into his 90s.

His daughter Evelyn Murray, of Tintwistle, said her dad, who served in France and Germany in the Second World War, is the life and soul of the party.

"He always used to sing and play the piano and even now he sings and dances. They have an entertainer who goes into the home who does the sort of music he likes," she said.

"He's had a few strokes and after the last one he ended up at Tameside Hospital. He was unconcious for six hours but then woke up and started singing Are You Lonesome Tonight!

"He used to dress up as a clown for parties to make everyone laugh and used to do a really good impression of Tommy Cooper."

Charlie, who worked well into his 70s, received a telegram from the Queen to mark the occasion.