A TRUE hero of the Three Towns has celebrated a remarkable milestone birthday.

Saltcoats man Ugo Pellegrini was surrounded by his family at the West Kilbride Golf Club as he marked his 104th birthday on March 23.

Born in Saltcoats in 1920, Ugo grew up in the town's Green Street where he lived much of the early years of his life.

But he's a weel kent face far beyond the Three Towns, including on Arran, where he moved in the 1950s.

His name will be familiar to many on the island from his years running the Old Pier Cafe in Lamlash, which still operates to this day.

Ugo's family also helped to run a shop in Brodick, as well as the Brodick Cafe, and those on Arran will no doubt be well aware of the famous Pellegrini family ice cream which he sold.

He later returned to the mainland to live in Ardrossan, and with his family he ran a newsagent's shop in Stevenston, where he became a well known face to many more locals.

He was joined by his five children, nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren for the celebrations.

Alongside a number of partners, a total of 31 family members came out to celebrated the occasion with the incredible character at the golf club, where Ugo was a member until he was into his nineties.

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He is still often seen out and about as his granddaughter Melissa Ramage - who Ugo joined for a mile of her Kiltwalk back in 2021 - explained.

“He’s absolutely incredible," she said. "Everybody always asks ‘what’s his secret?’ - I always say he eats well.

“He’s got a really good diet, a really good appetite. You put a three course meal down for him and he eats it!

“He’s amazing, what a guy, he’s the hero of our family.”