Lilly English has now been playing bingo for more than 40 years at her local Mecca Bingo club in Andover, she joined Mecca Bingo on Junction Road, in 1967 and she has never looked back! Lilly is now 93 years old and it has been said that she is the perfect bingo player and you will still find her playing her favourite game at least six times every week!

We have seen reports by scientists in the past that the game of bingo can really help to keep your mind active and alert, Lilly whole heartedly supports this theory and this is what she had to say about her love of bingo.

“It's great because it really keeps your mind working, but it's the atmosphere that I like. It's a bright place to go and I enjoy coming here for the people. I don't have a favourite number, I like all of them as long as they come up! My grandfather was still working when he was 95, so if I keep playing I've got at least another 10 years in me yet.” Lilly also went on to say that, she is no bingo expert, but one skill she has picked up along the way, is to know where the numbers are on her bingo cards.

A Mecca Bingo manager, Linda Mitchell said, “Lily is great - I think you could even call her the perfect player. She's been here longer than I have, comes everyday and she's great for the club because everyone knows her.”

The game of bingo is so much more than just a business and for some people it can be a life line for them. It is a safe haven where people can go with their friends and have a great night out as well as being in with the chance of winning some amazing cash prizes. Online bingo is a phenomenon that seems to be growing by the day and unlike the land based version of the game, players are able to chat and play bingo at the same time, as talking in the many chat rooms that are provided for them at online bingo sites, does not interfere with the game play.

Bingo dates back to the 16th century and in one form or another has been around before any of us was even born. The bingo industry has been going through some turbulent times of late, but through the love of the game, I am sure bingo will prevail!