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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Tim Hanlon

Woman, 108, shares her secrets to long life - including unexpected lunchtime treat

A care home resident celebrating her 108th birthday has revealed her secret to a long and happy life is "a tipple at lunchtime".

A special birthday celebration for Mary Ann Clifton, known as Rosina, took place at Care UK's Foxbridge House in Orpington, Kent, on Thursday as the team organised an afternoon tea party for the great-great-grandmother.

Ms Clifton, who was surrounded by friends and even visited by the mayor of the London borough of Bromley, councillor Hannah Gray, received a birthday message from the King and enjoyed a singalong to music from the 1920s, 30s and 40s.

She encouraged a midday "tipple" when asked the key to a long, happy life.

"(It's) never done me any harm," she said. "Work hard but party harder - a bit of hard work won't hurt you."

Ms Clifton shows her card from King Charles (PA)
Ms Clifton pictured looking at one of her birthday cards (PA)

Ms Clifton was born on March 16, 1915, in Lambeth, south London, and after finishing school, followed her passion for fashion.

She worked as a clothing cutter and later at her daughter's printing business.

Ms Clifton met her future husband, Ernie, at school when they were just 12 years old and the pair have two children, Pamela and Bernie, four grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and seven great-great-grandchildren.

Ms Clifton has revealed her secret to a long life (PA)

Home manager at Foxbridge House Stella Barnes said: "Rosina is a much-loved and popular resident... It was fantastic to help her celebrate this incredible milestone.

"It's not often that you celebrate your 108th birthday, so the team quickly got to work on planning a surprise afternoon tea party where we read out the King's birthday card message and enjoyed scones with jam and cream.

"We love any excuse to celebrate the amazing people living here at Foxbridge House and Rosina's 108th birthday was certainly no exception."

Ms Clifton pictured with the Mayor of the London Borough of Bromley, Councillor Hannah Gray (PA)

Meanwhile, the world's oldest man has died at the reported age of 140 after an operation to remove horn-like growths on his head.

Ali Anter, alleged to be Yemen's oldest man, became famous for his a mystery condition with caused the growth from his forehead.

It's reported the growth appeared on his head after he turned 100 years old. One of them grew into a coiled shape as it grew downward and past his face.

Sadly, Ali's family claimed he received treatment from an untrained individual who had tried to remove the growths using hot instruments.

Ali's family also said he died from the deterioration of his general physical and mental health brought on by old age.

However, his loved ones allege this demise was quickened by the botched amputation, Yemeni newspaper Aden al-Ghad reported.

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