A SPRIGHTLY pensioner who has been playing skittles for 35 years celebrated her 80th birthday playing her favourite game.

Peggy Hoskins played an away game with her team The Red Foxes, against the Rising Stars at the Prince of Wales pub in Warndon, Worcester last night.

Mrs Hoskins, who is a great-great grandmother, organised her own skittles team in 1975 and called it The Ketch Pennies.

The team became The Red Foxes when they began playing at Red Hill Social Club in Red Hill, Worcester.

The Red Foxes have 14 team members and play a game once a week. Mrs Hoskins' niece, Mary Hoskins is also on the team.

"I celebrated my birthday by seeing my family in the daytime, then playing skittles in the evening," said Mrs Hoskins, who has three children, nine grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

Mrs Hoskins, who was captain of The Ketch Pennies and The Red Foxes until last year, was also presented with a cake with two skittles on it for her birthday.

Despite the team's best efforts, The Rising Stars won the match by 11 to nil. "It's the first match we've completely lost this season, but it was a wonderful night," said Mrs Hoskins, who lives near Kempsey.