Mechanic is given day off to celebrate his 100th birthday

As a special concession, ''Buster" Martin was given a day off work today. It was, after all, his 100th birthday



Britain's oldest worker – who says that if he did not work he would become "the most miserable sod you have come across" – had originally planned to mark the occasion by having a pint at his local pub on his way home.

But Pimlico Plumbers, the south London company that employs him as a mechanic and valeter helping to look after its fleet of vans, organised a VIP trip to Chelsea's Stamford Bridge ground where he picked up a team shirt with ''Buster 100" on the back.

Mr Martin, a widower with 17 children and 70 or so grandchildren and great grandchildren (he admits that he lost count years ago), has tried retirement but did not like it.

He stopped working on market stalls in London when he was 97, but started looking for a new job after three months.

There's a video of Buster on this page.