Ely amateur photographer Lionel Jackson has twice the reasons to celebrate this month.

Cambs Times: Picture taken by Lionel featured on special birthday card for the queenPicture taken by Lionel featured on special birthday card for the queen (Image: Archant)

Not only has the 90-year-old just celebrated his 55th wedding anniversary with his wife Jillian but he has also had one of his images chosen for a special birthday card.

Age UK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough have come up with the idea of sending a card to the Queen to mark her 90th birthday using images taken by amateur photographers from local camera clubs in Ely, March and Cambridge.

And 90 older residents from Cambridgeshire have all signed the card too.

Mr Jackson is the only remaining founder member of Ely Photographic Society. His photography hobby has spanned six decades. It is an image of the Fenland river cruises boat on the river at Ely that has been chosen for the card.

Cambs Times: Cambridgeshire Age UK residents who have signed a special card for the queenCambridgeshire Age UK residents who have signed a special card for the queen (Image: Archant)

He said: “ “My hobby has brought me enormous pleasure over the years. I keep active getting out and about taking my camera to capture images and I enjoy attending the photography club to meet with friends and learn new things.

“Learning is a lifetime experience and should always continue. I inherited my grandfather’s photographic equipment in 1953 and remember well the postcard size glass negatives of the time.

“It was all very primitive equipment, photography has changed greatly over the years and especially now with digital technology it’s possible to create incredible images. My tip on aging well is have a laugh and don’t moan about the past.”

Age UK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are holding tea parties at their day centres across the county starting on Monday (April 18) with activities and cake.

The charity has also gathered information from the area’s older people about their views on aging well and how to remain active and healthy in later life and enjoy the experience.

And in partnership with Cambridgeshire County Council and Cambridge Regional College a short film is in production to congratulate the Queen and celebrate aging well.

Beverley Young, partnerships manager at Age UK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said: “We have taken inspiration from the Queen’s forthcoming milestone 90th Birthday to find out from our service users their tips for aging well.

“Unsurprisingly, it seems there is no one answer and miracle solution. As you can probably guess much of it is common sense and what we probably already know. Broadly speaking, from what we’ve been told, a balanced mix of exercise, good diet, hobbies/interests, socialising with others and good genes is what is needed. We were told, “don’t deny yourself a little bit of anything and have/do everything in moderation” also “enjoy life and have plenty of laughter.”