THE secret of a long life is to surround yourself with young people.

That is the theory of Sis Russell and it has worked well enough for her, as she has just celebrated her 100th birthday.

She came to Swindon 21 years ago and has lived in sheltered accommodation at George Day Gardens in Park South ever since.

She said: "I've had a happy and contented life and I'm hoping to die here.

"I think the reason I've had a long life is that I've had good health and I've always been surrounded by young people.

"I have wonderful nephews and nieces who have been like children to me and they've never treated me like an old aunt.

"I used to lead a pretty active life, walking and dancing and in my later life I've done a lot of reading and word puzzles. They keep my brain active.

"I had a happy childhood and a happy marriage and even in old age I've been surrounded with happiness.

"Although I can't see, hear or walk very well I can still talk pretty well."

She was born Lillian Bishop in the Somerset pub where her mother was landlady.

Her two-year-old brother Bert was told you have a little sis', and the name stuck.

The family moved to Bristol when Sis was 12 when her father found work as a tram driver in the city and she later worked at Wills cigarette factory.

She married Leslie Russell and when he died 29 years ago she came to Swindon to be near her sister Floss, who died ten years ago.

Sis' niece, Pat Greenslade, 77, described her aunt as a wonderful woman.

She said: "She's the life and soul of any party and she's very good with figures and words. She's as bright as a button.

"At her birthday party she met the mayor, stood up to thank everyone for coming, and went on for about five minutes.

"And she only looks about 80."

Pat, of Wootton Bassett, was only five when she was a bridesmaid for Sis when she was married in Bristol.

Sixty years later Sis went with her to the Post Office in Wootton Bassett to collect her niece's pension.

Pat said: "She thought it would be funny to take her bridesmaid to get her first pension."

Peter Butland, warden at Mrs Russell's accommodation, said: "She's a lovely lady and for her age she is so alert.

"And she never says a bad word about anyone."