WEDNESDAY was a special day for Mr Brown.

The date had been in the diary for a long time and it was marked with visits from his family and close friends.

But while Gordon Brown was becoming this country's 51st Prime Minister, Runcorn's Walter Brown was reminiscing about living through the tenures of 19 Prime Ministers as he celebrated his 100th birthday.

When Walter, of Oxford Road, Runcorn, was born on June 27, 1907, Henry Campell-Bannerman was in residence at 10 Downing Street and Edward VII was King.

In the same year, Albert Einstein came up with his e=mc² formula and Robert Baden-Powell held the first Scout camp.

Walter, who has always lived in Runcorn, owned a shop in Bridge Street and market stalls in Runcorn, Widnes, Ellesmere Port and Frodsham selling glass, china and crockery.

A century later, Walter reflected on his longevity.

He said: 'My secret of a long life is plenty of church work.

'My mother and father were caretakers at St Luke's Church, which is no longer there. And I celebrated at The Heath Methodist Church's luncheon club.'

Last week Walter marked his 59th wedding anniversary to his wife, Annice, 88.