A “HARD working” Kidderminster man with a passion for racing pigeons has celebrated his 100th birthday.

Reginald Willis, who worked as a carpet weaver at various carpet factories in the town, toasted his milestone on Tuesday. (March 1) Mr Willis, of Elmley Close, worked up until he was 80 and spent most of his spare time racing pigeons.

“Pigeons are his life and he’s still got them,” his daughter Margaret Rowles said. “He never had a day off work.”

She joked the secret to his long life was eating bacon and eggs everyday and putting a drop of brandy in his tea.

“He’s just kept himself fit walking and exercising,” she added. “He’s a lovely hardworking man.”

Mr Willis toasted his milestone with a family gathering and was joined by his daughters Janet Bryant, Mrs Rowles and Barbara Dalton.

His grandchildren Darren Moss, Ian and Keith Dalton, Colin Davis, Stuart and Stephanie Rowles, Gillian Webster and Suzanne, Paul and Richard Bates also attended along with his great grandchildren Ryan and Kelly Webster, Callum and Yvie Moss and Rebecca and Marcus Davis.