98-year-old grandmother has been masseuse for 60 years

A 98-year-old grandmother has been hailed Britain's oldest massage therapist as she celebrated 60 years in the profession. Evelyn Blackburn was first granted her licence to operate in 1949 and has just renewed it with Harrow Council.

Mrs Blackburn, of Pinner, north London, has treated tens of thousands of people since a friend's sore neck prompted her to learn the techniques of massage six decades ago. But she has kept abreast of developments, embracing alternative treatments such as cupping - made famous by celebrity enthusiast Gwyneth Paltrow - and radiesthesia, which treats people's energy or auras.

Mrs Blackburn said: "I have massaged thousands of people over the years - from mothers and grandmothers to builders and scientists. Back when I started, I used iodine-based oil called Dragon's Blood. Nowadays, I use the modern substitutes. You have to move with the times.



"I still maintain the best treatment is a pair of hands.I don't think anything can replace massage. I have used lots of therapies and machines, but nothing is quite as effective. A massage is much better than all these advertised creams to put on your face and body, although the companies making the cream wouldn't like to hear that - but it's the truth."

Mrs Blackburn used to treat up to eight people a day at the clinic where she worked in Nower Hill, Harrow, but for past 24 years has worked from home in a room adapted into a studio.

Outside of her work, Mrs Blackburn, a widow for several years, has travelled to the US 67 times to visit her daughter and grandchildren.