WHY worry about life - you'll only end up losing your figure!

So says Otley man Douglas Gregg, and at the grand age of 100 - the former head porter at Wharfedale Hospital should know a thing or two.

Mr Gregg, who is still in the same house in Otley he has lived in for 70 years, celebrated his 100th birthday on Monday with family and friends and visits from the Lord Mayor of Leeds, the Mayor of Otley and a card from the Queen.

"I've enjoyed myself thoroughly, there's been a never ending queue of people coming to see me.

"But I don't think I'll be going another 100 years," said Mr Gregg.

Mr Gregg worked at Garnett's Paper mill in Otley for 25 years before moving to Wharfedale Hospital at the start of the National Health Service where he stayed for 20 years until he retired.

"I saw a lot of life up at the hospital.

"We had German prisoners of war there during the war and men from Siberia.

"They'd arrive in Otley in the middle of the night at the station and have to walk all the way up to the hospital.

"A lot of them were nice men, we learned enemies could be friendly," he said.

Married to Mabel, who died seven years ago at the age of 95, the couple had one son, Derick, who died four years ago.

"My wife and I were content with one another and content with the world and its not everyone who can say that.

"I try not to be miserable and I'll always talk to people," said Mr Gregg.

Mr Gregg, who was born in Ripon Workhouse on September 13, 1904, recently contacted The Dalesman magazine about a feature it had included about the former workhouse.

In response, Mr Gregg received a 100th birthday card from the current occupiers of the building.

"My motto in life is why worry and lose your figure, the government is always telling us to eat less, but why worry about things, that's what I always say.

"If people were more content with life and more content with each other, everyone would get on much better.

"I've had lots of ups and downs in my life, but I've just taken them all with a pinch of salt."

He doesn't get about too much anymore, but he believes Otley has changed very little over the years.

"It's a nice town to live in and I don't think its changed a great deal," he said.

His daughter-in-law, Shirley Gregg, who lives in Anglesey, said Mr Gregg had a good circle of friends and support from family in the town such as his niece, June Galling.

"He liked gardening and during the war was always making toys for the children.

"He has always been a family man and really liked seeing all his family around him this week.

He has three grandchildren, Caroline Winterbottom, Nicholas Gregg and Sally Fish, and three great grandchildren, Sam, Jack and Max.

On Monday, Mr Gregg was visited by Leeds Mayor, Coun Chris Townsley and Otley Mayor, Coun Jonathan Kirkland.

Coun Kirkland said: "It is wonderful to have a centenarian in Otley.

"He had a card from the Queen which he was delighted with.

"I would like to wish him happy birthday from the town council."