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| Oldest man marks 110th birthday for Britain's | Oldest man marks 110th birthday for Britain's |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Britain's oldest man is celebrating his 110th birthday. | Britain's oldest man is celebrating his 110th birthday. |
| A public concert was held on Saturday night for former church minister Reg Dean, from Wirksworth, Derbyshire, although he was unable to attend. | |
| The Dalesmen Male Voice Choir, which he set up, will sing for him later. | The Dalesmen Male Voice Choir, which he set up, will sing for him later. |
| Mr Dean, who was born in Tunstall, Staffordshire, on 4 November 1902, says the secret of his longevity is being lazy, but his family says it may be down to a potion he drank in India. | Mr Dean, who was born in Tunstall, Staffordshire, on 4 November 1902, says the secret of his longevity is being lazy, but his family says it may be down to a potion he drank in India. |
| Mr Dean, who has lived in Derbyshire since 1947, has lived through two world wars and 24 British prime ministers. | Mr Dean, who has lived in Derbyshire since 1947, has lived through two world wars and 24 British prime ministers. |
| Indian elixir | Indian elixir |
| Stationed in Burma as an army chaplain during World War II, Mr Dean continued to work as a minister until his retirement at the age of 80. | Stationed in Burma as an army chaplain during World War II, Mr Dean continued to work as a minister until his retirement at the age of 80. |
| He also spent 10 years working as a teacher and has been married three times. | He also spent 10 years working as a teacher and has been married three times. |
| His son, Christopher said the family had its own theory about his long life. | His son, Christopher said the family had its own theory about his long life. |
| "When he was out in India, just before World War I, he was given an elixir by a local there. | "When he was out in India, just before World War I, he was given an elixir by a local there. |
| "He did a favour for one of the locals and this guy said, 'drink this and you'll live til at least 100'. | "He did a favour for one of the locals and this guy said, 'drink this and you'll live til at least 100'. |
| "And he said being naive 'I just drank it' - this muddy mixture and here he is now - no one can argue with that now." | "And he said being naive 'I just drank it' - this muddy mixture and here he is now - no one can argue with that now." |