88-year-old vacuum cleaner

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

Still going strong: Retired couple still use their 88-year-old vacuum cleaner that doubles as a paint sprayer, coffee grinder and even a MEAT MINCER

Mary Waite, 61, pictured, and her husband Ivor, 63, from Halesowen, West Midlands, have been using their Piccolo multi-purpose appliance since it was given to them as a wedding present in 1976. Mrs Waite, pictured showing off its many functions, including the vacuum, right, meat mincer, bottom and food blender, top, says it is the most reliable appliance she posses, having never broken down in all the years she's owned it. The Piccolo - which cost 20 guineas, around £25 in today's money - as made by German company Hammelmann Werke in the early 20th century and was promoted as the future of household appliances, as demonstrated by a model in the instruction manual using it to spray paint the ceiling, left.