'UK's 12th oldest man', 107, reveals snack he says 'guarantees long life'

19 October 2023 , 13:28

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At 107, widower Len Howes has shared his secret to living such a long life (Image: Carol Howes / SWNS)

One of the oldest living Brits has unveiled his secret to longevity in the form of a popular breakfast cereal.

Born halfway through the first world war in 1916, Leonard Howes is Britain's 12th oldest resident and has seen five different monarchs and 25 Prime Ministers in his illustrious lifetime. The super-centenarian has lived through two world wars - serving in WWII - and still vividly remembers flying the British flag at a VE Day parade.

The Bristolian celebrated his 107th birthday this week where he revealed what he believed was the simple key to such a long life. Leonard swears by Shredded Wheat, which daughter-in-law Carol Howes said he had been eating "as long as he could remember".

Len, as he is affectionately known as by family, received his fourth card from Buckingham Palace as he celebrated the occasion at his care home in Newquay, Cornwall, where he is the oldest resident. Typically, centenarians receive one card from the monarch on their 100th birthday, another on their 105th and every year after.

Leonard celebrated his 107th birthday with family and a fish and chips-themed cake (Carol Howes / SWNS)

Daughter-in-law Carol said: “He puts his long life down to eating Shredded Wheat with full fat milk and plenty of sugar for as long as he can remember.'' Despite his age and being almost entirely deaf, Len has caught up with the times and regularly uses the 'Find Friends' app on his iPad to follow his family as they come to visit him.

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“Just lately he has become a bit forgetful and a bit unsteady on his legs and uses a walking frame to get around," said Carol. "But for his age he is doing extremely well.” Widower Len's wife Alice died in 2000 aged 81 - the same year the couple celebrated their diamond anniversary after 60 years together. His parents both died in 1945 and 1946.

Len helped intercepting enemy communications during the War (Courtesy of Carol Howes / SWNS)

He was married to wife Alice 60 years before she died in 2000 (Courtesy of Carol Howes / SWNS)

During the war, Len served with the Royal Corp of Signals at a military base at Box Hill, Wiltshire, repairing bomb damage to telephone cables during the Blitz, then moved to a Navy base in Harrogate intercepting possible enemy communications. The Bristol City fan left school at 14 to train as a plumber, later getting a job with Post Office Telephones - before it became BT - where he continued to work until 1981 when he retired at 65.

The oldest Brit Ethel May Caterham from Surrey holds the accolade of being the oldest living Brit at present at the age of 114. Ethel was born in August 1909, and was five-years-old when the First World War broke out.

Len celebrated his 107th with grandson Nick, granddaughter, Jenny and great grandsons, Ollie and Jacob. Carol said: "We always think of a theme for his birthday cake and this year it was a cake with fish and chips and mushy peas made from icing, his favourite meal, so it was fish and chips all round on Saturday."

Susie Beever