Seventy-seven-year-old Harold Watson is a real fitness fanatic - putting people decades younger than him to shame.

The sprightly pensioner is in the gym four days a week and puts himself through a rigorous exercise regime of weight-lifting, running, rowing and cycling.

But the retired factory worker says his trim physique has cost him a fortune in shirts!

"Since I started working out my chest and arms have expanded so much I've had to keep buying bigger shirts as I've put inches on in muscle," he said.

Mr Watson, of Baildon, started training shortly after his wife Patricia died in 1997.

"I had so much time on my hands and thought I should do something useful with it," he said. "I went to see my GP about joining a gym to see if it would be okay as I have severe arthritis in my right knee and my hands.

"But according to the doctor, exercise does more good than harm, so that was a good enough incentive for me."

He was the first member to sign up at Jimmy's Health and Fitness Centre when it opened in Dale Street, Shipley, three years ago.

Owner Jimmy Hawthorn said Mr Watson, his oldest member, is a lesson to younger people.

"He's in here three or four times a week and works hard to stay in shape," he said.

"His muscles are huge - bigger than mine and some of the younger men in here - he certainly doesn't look his age."

Harold, who smoked from the age of 14 until 20 years ago and was a regular drinker, now enjoys just a pint or two on a Saturday afternoon.

"I feel as fit as a fiddle and would say to others of my age to give it a try," he added.

A labourer all his life, Mr Watson has worked in a textiles factory, was one of the men who helped re-build the city after World War Two and retired as a sheet metal worker at Clingers in West Bowling when he was 70.

"I've always grafted and been quite strong but coming to the gym has kept me in tip top condition," he said.