28569/2A CEREMONY performed by an Indian holy man could be the reason for a Trowbridge woman living to the grand old age of 105.

Norah Hassell, who celebrated her birthday with family, friends and local dignitaries on Monday, was born in India in 1899.

Her great nephew Philip Randall said: "When she was born a medicine man took her away from her mother for a short time and then told her she had been given rosy cheeks and, as long as she kept those rosy cheeks, she would have a long life."

Mrs Hassell has lived through three centuries, seen the reigns of six monarchs and survived two world wars.

Born Norah Russell, one of 11 children, her father was an army officer and, as a young girl, she lived in India, South Africa and Ireland before the family settled in Trowbridge.

She was educated at the town's Parochial School, leaving at 14 and finding work with Palmer McKay cloth merchants. During the First World War she worked in a munitions factory before returning to her pre-war job in 1918.

She married naval officer Alec Hassell in 1924 in his home county of Hampshire and the couple returned to Trowbridge and their only son, Brian, was born in 1929.

The couple celebrated their diamond wedding in 1984, shortly before Mr Hassell died.

Despite her age, Mrs Hassell lived in her own home until last year, when she moved to the Paddocks Nursing Home, and remains alert and independent.

Mr Randall said: "She is very well read and well travelled and keeps up to date with what is happening in the world and I think that, combined with the fact she doesn't get stressed and has never considered herself old has made the difference to her life."