Man celebrates 100th birthday at Johnstone care home

Andy Cassidy was joined by loved ones at Lancefield Care Home, in Rankine Street, as staff marked the impressive milestone this afternoon.

During the party, the centenarian opened his special birthday card from King Charles III and enjoyed a number of tasty treats.

Dozens of handmade birthday cards were also on show during the event, with residents also able to sing along to a number of classic songs by artists such as Frank Sinatra.

Andy was born in Teelin, a village in the northern province of Ireland, where he attended a local Catholic school before training to become a joiner.

One of his first jobs was helping look after his uncle's farm, which involved tending to piglets.

Andy and his wife Mary tied the knot in 1951 and later decided to settle down in Scotland, where they lived together until Mary's death in 1999.

Before retiring, Andy worked at a local paper mill in Linwood and at the dye house at the Stoddard Carpets factory, in Elderslie.

He was cared for by his niece Sadie Holmes before moving into Lancefield Care Home on his 96th birthday.

Andy told The Gazette that as he had completed his first century, he was now "going for two".

His great-niece Sylina Smith said: "He's got a cheeky sense of humour.

"He's a determined man who was fiercely independent until around five years ago."

One of Andy's nicknames is Hoppy, as he shares the same surname as fictional cowboy hero Hopalong Cassidy.

Lainey Begley, activities co-ordinator at Lancefield Care Home, said: "He likes watching westerns and detective shows.

"He also likes his quiz shows, such as Countdown."

Julie Andrew, manager of Lancefield Care Home, added: "He likes his own company but he does like people to pop in.

"The girls have got a good rapport with him and he's got a good sense of humour."