Grandmother Heather Brooks shunned a glass of sherry and a spot of Countdown on her 90th birthday – and instead got her first tattoo!

The retired receptionist marked the milestone with a trip to the Belly Bar in Canterbury and left with a permanent, but incredibly poignant, reminder of her will to live.

She chose to have a pink ribbon etched on her arm in tribute to Cancer Research after beating the disease following a five-year battle.

The pensioner, of the city’s Westerham Close, was encouraged to get inked last Wednesday by her grandchildren, who both have tattoos.

She said: “It is something that had never crossed my mind because I’m not actually a fan of them and it’s more of a young person’s thing.

“But my grandchildren Aston and Kendal both have them and sort of talked me into it.

“At first I wasn’t sure what to have and thought about a little kitten, but my daughter Clare suggested the pink cancer ribbon because of what I have been through.

“I was diagnosed with bowel cancer five years ago and had to go through a lot of chemotherapy.

“But the nurses and doctors have been amazing and now I have been given the all clear.

“It just seemed to me to be a fitting tribute to Cancer Research, who do such good work. I owe my life to them. I am also lucky to have an amazing family around me.”

Heather came to Canterbury with her two daughters in 1972 from Hong Kong after separating from her husband.

She had numerous jobs before retiring, including working as a receptionist at Canterbury College for 12 years.

She said: “I think the tattoo artist at the Belly Bar was a bit surprised when I turned up, but once we had agreed on the design he got to work and it didn’t hurt at all.

“Now I feel a mixture of pride and a little embarrassment. I had to go for a blood test at the hospital this week and offer my arm, which I felt a bit anxious about, but the nurse just laughed when she saw it.”

Terry Wright, who runs the Belly Bar in Canterbury Lane, said: “Heather is certainly our oldest ever client and was great fun - a real bundle of joy.

“Her tattooist, Cat Meicu, used a very light touch and I think the result is quite subtle and poignant.

“If she comes back on her 100th birthday I will happily give her a free tattoo.”

Heather’s effort even tops that of 75-year-old broadcaster David Dimbleby, who had a scorpion etched on his shoulder in November last year.

He said at the time: “You are only old once. I have always wanted a tattoo.”

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