KEEN musician Dolly Howes celebrated her 104th birthday in style. Mrs Howes, who lives at Southwell Court residential home in Melbourn, regularly sings and plays the piano. She enjoyed a celebratory lunch with the other residents yesterday (Wednes

KEEN musician Dolly Howes celebrated her 104th birthday in style.

Mrs Howes, who lives at Southwell Court residential home in Melbourn, regularly sings and plays the piano.

She enjoyed a celebratory lunch with the other residents yesterday (Wednesday).

Andrew Tilbrook, manager of Southwell Court, said: "Dolly is an astonishing woman, she seems to be going backwards and getting younger rather than older.

"She's always singing, plays the piano often, and likes nothing better than trying to cheer up the other residents.

"She often says 'come on you lot, I don't want to see any long faces.'"

Mrs Howes, who said there was no real secret to leading a long and happy life, is originally from London.

She lived in Bassingbourn with her late husband, Charlie, for many years, and moved into Southwell Court in September 1999.

Her nephew, Peter Howes, who was at the party with his wife Margaret, said: "Dolly always has a smile on her face.

"She's a very happy person and has a cracking sense of humour, and I think that's helped her live to such a good age.

"It always amazes me that she doesn't need to wear glasses, even though she's 104. I hope my eye-sight is as good if I make it to her age," he said.