Norman Marchington says bowls has kept him young after celebrating his 100th birthday.

Marchington, who lives in Sittingbourne, was treated to a party at Swale Indoor Bowls Club, where he has been a member since about 2014.

Friends and family attended, including partner Sue, who he met at the club, and daughter Rosemary, who’d flown in from Australia.

The father-of-three enjoyed every moment of the party, which took place on his 100th birthday - Saturday, February 15.

“It turned out to be a wow of a party,” said Marchington.

“We had a bowls match and a meal.

“I looked at all these people bowling and I was a very happy man to say to myself what a friendly club we’ve got here and how much they are enjoying themselves.

“I’ve never seen so many members there.”

Marchington was born in Sheerness, as one of 10 children, moving to Queenborough as a young boy.

He served in the Royal Army Service Corps from 1943-47, after which he worked for the likes of Maidstone & District, Milton Regis Hospital, the Kent Oil Refinery on the Isle of Grain and ferry company P&O.

Marchington lived overseas for almost 50 years, initially in Australia, where he worked as a teacher, and France, his favourite country, before settling back in the UK.

Always a keen bowler, the sport continues to play a big part in his life.

He still plays friendly and competitive matches for Swale, who describe him as a “very loved member of the club”.

“I don’t feel 100,” said Marchington. “It’s only up to about six months ago that I was bowling five times a week and thoroughly enjoying it.

“That’s why I want to recommend bowling to people who are getting on a bit in life, who don’t know what to do with themselves.

“I’d say get off your backside, stop being a couch potato, stop getting backache, get outside, take a half-mile walk to the local shop or around the neighbourhood.

“We are a very friendly club indeed and everybody who comes here has the benefit of participating in a leisurely sport that helps to keep them fit. That’s what I feel myself.

“I’m still walking to the club from where I live and still enjoying participating in the bowling.

“I really do declare, without any shadow of doubt, that the bowling has kept me going and I intend it should remain so. I don’t feel old.

“It’s an institution which recommends itself to anyone who wants to enjoy the last stages of their lives, and young people.

“Anybody sitting on the couch or in the armchair, not knowing what to do, come and see us.

“It’s only a matter of getting down and they’ll realise as soon as they walk into the place, this is it.”