Connie still cooking chips at 101

Constance Brown arrives in work at 9am every morning

A 101-year-old woman has no plans to retire from the chip shop she opened more than 80 years ago.

Connie Brown and her late husband Sidney opened Brown's cafe in Pembroke, west Wales, in 1928.

Mrs Brown, who was awarded an MBE in 2006, is still serving chips six days a week.

"When we first started a bag of chips cost a half a penny and a penny," she told BBC Radio 4's You and Yours programme.

"It was a coal fire in those days. We used a hand chipper for cleaning, everything had to be done by hand," said Mrs Brown.

She lives above the chip shop and begins a typical day at 9am.

"I get the fish all cut and washed and ready, the batter is made and then I'll go home for a cup of tea," she said.

'Biggest day'

She returns to the shop by 11am to cook for customers until 2.30pm, after which she has another break before closing for the day.

Mrs Brown, who will soon turn 102, vividly remembers the day she was awarded the MBE.

She said: "That was the biggest day in my life. I'd never been to Buckingham Palace before.

"I had a walk up to meet the Queen, and shook hands. It was beautiful, honestly she was a lovely person."

Mrs Brown also told the programme that she does not eat any vegetables, and insists that fish and chips is all she eats.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version