More than 160 seniors yesterday celebrated the third annual Tee’l Pre Cup Match and Emancipation Day tea.

The event, organised by Terry Smith and held at Somerset Cricket Club, attracted the biggest attendance of seniors in its three-year history, including 100-year-old Myrtle Burrows.

Ms Burrows, who celebrated her milestone birthday last week, said: “I think that they did a wonderful job. It’s very nice to have everybody here enjoying themselves.”

Ms Burrows added: “I live in Hamilton Parish, but I will always be a Somerset supporter.”

David Burt, the Premier, John Rankin, the Governor, and Craig Cannonier, the Leader of the Opposition, as well as several members of this year’s Somerset cricket team, also attended.

Mr Burt, who said he was “Somerset for life”, told the gathering: “Up here in the west, we are very hospitable, so we even invited St George’s supporters to the tea.”

Mr Burt added: “The Government will continue to honour and treasure all of our seniors.”

Mr Rankin said: “I’m very glad to meet seniors on the island always. I’m not just being diplomatic, I genuinely find that I’ve got lots of things to learn from seniors on the island.”

He added: “Sitting down and chatting with people who have lived here all their lives can teach you a lot about not just the history of the island but how we’re doing moving forward.”

Mr Rankin said: “Cup Match is both a fun event, but also an important event to remember the past.”

Mr Smith, who has organised the event since its inception, said that the tea party had a “fun spirit”.

He said: “People come and have a really good time, it’s very relaxing and it’s a carefree day. Some of these people can’t really get out to the game.

“This is their Cup Match celebration, coming here today and dressing up in their reds and blues. They get to see friends they haven’t seen in a long time.”

The seniors were served by volunteers, including a group from the Berkeley Institute.