A RETIRED local government chief executive, who was born in the same year that Ford built the first Model T cars, is celebrating his 100th birthday this week.

Leslie Horgan, who lives in Kempsey, near Worcester, considers this milestone is just the start of the rest of his life.

“I do not feel 100. I rather like to think I am indestructible,” he said. “I intend to carry on. I do not think of any limit. I have three lovely daughters and I am supported by my sons-in-law. I enjoy my life to the full but I have been moderate in all my habits.”

Mr Horgan was born in London but moved with his parents to Birmingham where he was brought up.

“My father was a civil servant and I went to business training college in Birming-ham,” Mr Horgan said. “I moved to Stourbridge and got my first job with a chartered accountancy business. That started my connection with Worcestershire. I became the financial officer for the town council in Stourport.”

Mr Horgan qualified and moved to Saltburn-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire, in 1938 where he worked for the local authority and became chief executive the following year. He continued in that role until retiring in 1974.

Mr Horgan and his wife Joan lived in Wiltshire for a number of years but he moved to Kempsey in 1989 to be near his eldest daughter Dorothy Sherratt, from St John’s, Worcester, after his wife died.

Mr Horgan, who drove up to the age of 98, has been an active member of Rotary clubs – he was president of Saltburn Rotary Club in 1947 – and is now a member of Retired Rotarians who meet monthly.

He has been a mason for 64 years in three provinces and also been a church warden.

He has travelled extensively around the world and has enjoyed DIY – making furniture and even building his own bungalow.

He also used to print his own colour photographs and was a member of Worcestershire County Cricket Club.

Mr Horgan, who has 10 granchildren and 12 great grandchildren, believes one of the keys to his good health is his diet which includes a lot of fruit, fish and vegetables.

He received about 70 cards from family, friends and well-wishers – including a card from the Queen and a telegram from James Purnell, Secretary of State for Works and Pensions – on his birthday on Monday.

He had a special meal with his daughters Dorothy Sherratt, Michelle Laven and Penelope Jane Licourinos and their partners on his birthday and a party is being held with 62 family members at Worcestershire County Cricket ground on Saturday.