Pétanque player shares secret to reaching 100

A man celebrating his 100th birthday with friends at his local pétanque club said the secret to becoming a centenarian was "a glass of wine".

Reginald Jones marked his landmark birthday on 13 January by heading down to the Cuckmere Valley Pétanque Club in East Sussex, where regularly plays.

The "energetic" Army veteran said he "never thought about being 100" but would be continuing the celebrations with a glass of wine following a few games of the French pastime.

"I still don't think I'm 100, but everyone tells me I am, so I have to accept it," Jones said.

He added: "I always said a glass [of wine] a day keeps the doctor away. And I haven't done anything else other than this kind of exercise [pétanque]."

Born in 1926, Jones served in the Army before entering the wine business, in which he worked for more than 50 years.

Prior to his birthday, he celebrated at a party with friends and family on Saturday, before heading to the pétanque club on the big day.

Jones' partner, Christine, said: "He said for a long time that he wanted to play pétanque on his birthday, and I'm so pleased that it has happened because that is what he wanted more than anything."

His son, Clive, 71, added: "He keeps telling everyone that will listen that he is spending his son's inheritance, and I hope he does so for many years to come.

"He's energetic and makes me feel tired at times."

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