A good-humoured man who celebrated his 100th birthday on Wednesday says his secret to long life is laughter.

Robert Atkins, known as Bill among his family and friends, lived in Bushey for 99 years before moving to St Anthony's Care Home, in Watford, where he celebrated his landmark birthday.

After enjoying cake with the other residents, and preparing for a lunch out with his great nieces Vanessa Suzette and Gill Dennis, Mr Atkins said he was pleased to have reached the milestone age.

He said: "It is lovely, especially when you get a nice letter from The Queen. I suppose it is laughter that has got me this far - I'm always smiling. Hard work has helped as well - I have always been a strong man."

One of six siblings, Mr Atkins is the second person among his three brothers and two sisters to have reached a century of birthdays.

A carpenter for most of his working life, the spirited pensioner also worked for the electricity board before his retirement.

After meeting his late wife Evelyn, the couple went on to have their son Peter, and the family lived in Merry Hill Mount, in Bushey.

Great niece Vanessa said: "It is fantastic, he's an amazing man - he was living by himself until the age of 99. At 80 he was installing an aerial on his roof. He's an inspiration and a very warm person - anyone who meets him, loves him."