A CHALFORD indoor bowls player, who turned 100 last month, hopes to continue playing the sport he loves for as long as he can.

Keith Ebbutt took up bowling 25 years ago and now plays twice a week with the Chalford Short Mat Bowls Club, which meets at Chalford Sports and Social Club.

Friends and family joined Keith to celebrate his milestone birthday with two special parties at France Lynch Church Rooms and Chalford Sports and Social Club.

He was awarded lifetime membership of the social club and the bowls club, and his name has been added to a plaque for honourary life members in the club house.

Keith grew up in London, but moved to Germany in 1925, at the age of six and returned in 1937, at the age of 13.

His father, Norman Ebbutt, was a correspondent for the Times and the family relocated to Berlin so that he could report on events there.

Keith’s dad was expelled by the Nazis in August 1937 and the family returned to London.

At school Keith discovered a love of science and went on to become a chemist.

He has two children, two grandchildren and five great grandchildren and lives with his partner of 25 years Gillian Slater.

He said he feels lucky to have reached his 100th birthday and can’t put his longevity down to anything in particular.