A retired Ayrshire pub owner who celebrated her 100th birthday this month says the secret to a long life is not drinking booze.

Sprightly Nan Bryson celebrated her centenary on Friday, August 5, and enjoyed a day out with friends at her favourite lunch spot, the Small Talk cafe at Irvine Harbourside.

Nan owned the historic Ship Inn pub in Irvine for around 10 years in the 1950s.

But the centenarian is certain the secret to a long life is not drinking alcohol.

Nan's only son, Campbell Cunningham, said: "Mum had a great day with her friends and enjoyed an afternoon tea at the Small Talk Cafe, which is her favourite.

"She and my step-dad Robert Bryson had a pub in Galston before moving to Irvine.

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"Mum first moved to Irvine around 70 years ago, when I was only around five or six, and took over the Ship Inn for around a decade.

"Then, after the Ship Inn, she worked part-time at the Cooperative function suite at Irvine Cross.

"Even though my mum was in the licenced trade in some form throughout her life, as was her father and uncle, she never drank and is adamant being teetotal is the key to a long life.

"I've maybe convinced her a handful of times to have a sip or two of wine on special occasions but that's it."

Nan was born in Campbeltown, Argyll on Saturday, August 5, 1922, and has two granddaughters and four great-grandchildren, the youngest she met for the first time on her birthday.

Campbell explained: "Mum met her youngest great-grandson, four-month-old Alfie, for the first time last Friday. It was really lovely she got to meet him.

"Although my mum is 100 years old, she is very sprightly and has an excellent group of friends around her. She loves going to the church and thinks Rev Neil Urquhart is the best thing since sliced bread!

"Mum is active and enjoys spending her time helping out charities."

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