SHE has defied the ageing process for decades - so turning 60, as Lulu does today, shouldn't be too much of a trauma for the Glasgow-born singer.

Gym sessions, yoga, an excellent skin-care routine and a positive mental attitude are all reasons why Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie continues to look as good as she does.

"I didn't look forward to my 40th or my 50th birthdays," she said last week, "but I'm kind of excited to be turning 60 ... as I've got older, I've begun to feel more comfortable with myself.

"I know what I want to do and what I don't want to do, and that's great."

In an interview with Radio Clyde's Mike Riddoch, broadcast on the Clyde 2 breakfast show today, she said she had no great plans for her milestone birthday.

"It's not going to be a big hoo-hah, it's just another year, it's another number ... except, when I think 60, I think, where did the time go? It's just flown."

Lulu is busier than ever: she is writing a personal advice book, which is due out next October, "and I'll be working in America with some incredible writers for an album.

"We're setting up a big, different kind of show to go on the road, so it's a good time."

She has also made a huge success of her skin-care line, Time Bomb.

Here, by way of tribute to her amazing career, we look back, decade by decade, at some of Lulu's landmarks. THE EARLY YEARS

BORN on November 3, 1948, in Lennox Castle Hosital, Lennoxtown, Lulu had made her public debut at the age of four at a Coronation Party before going on to enter countless talent contests.

At 14, she joined a local group, The Gleneagles, whose gigs included Sunday-night shows at the Lindella Club, in Union Street.

It was there she was discovered by Marion Massey, her eventual manager and mentor. THE 1960s

UNDER Marion's guidance, Lulu is born, and the group changes its name to The Luvvers.

Their first single,a cover of the Isley Brothers' Shout, reaches number seven in Britain in 1964. A star is born.

"She has the assurance, charm and personality of a seasoned artist twice her age," said one magazine, "she might turn out to be Britain's Brenda Lee."

Other hit singles follow: Here Comes The Night, Leave A Little Love, Try To Understand.

In 1966, she splits from her band, changes record labels, tours with Roy Orbison and signs up for a role in a Sidney Poitier film, To Sir With Love.

The film is released to acclaim the following year, when Lulu also has hits with The Boat That I Row, Let's Pretend and Love Loves To Love Love.

She agrees to star in a BBC TV series, tours the States and also plays the Royal Variety Show.

In 1967, her song, To Sir With Love, tops the US charts for five weeks and sells more than four million copies.

Her determined assault on the US continues in 1968, with a series of high-profile concerts and accolades, while at home she does two more BBC TV series.

In 1969 she marries Bee Gee Maurice Gibb (the marriage lasts four years), and represents Great Britain in the Eurovision Song Contest with Boom Bang-A-Bang, taking the joint first prize.

Later that year, Lulu makes her first record in the States. She is still only 20. 1970s

DESPITE spreading her fame through TV series and shows on both sides of the Atlantic, successful tours of Britain, American, Australia, New Zealand and the Far East, and roles in panto, Lulu does not have a hit single again until 1974 - her first since Oh Me Oh My in 1969.

This time, it is with a version of David Bowie's The Man Who Sold the World, produced by Ziggy Stardust himself. It reaches No 3.

She recalled earlier this year: "I was in a hotel in Sheffield and Bowie walked in with the Ziggy hair and said, I want to record with you; you're a great singer.

"I thought maybe making the record was just something he said in the heat of the night, but he came through."

In 1976 Lulu married again, to celebrity hairdresser John Frieda. Their son, Jordan, was born in June 1977. 1980s

LULU continued to be a big star on TV, kicking off the decade with a 24-show series, Let's Rock, and a new album, The Very Best Of Lulu.

She has more chart success in the States with such songs as I Could Never Miss You (More Than I Do), If I Were You and the Grammy-nominated Who's Foolin' Who'.

In Britain, she was a regular on TV, hosting her own series, Some You Win.

In 1987 she appeared as Adrian Mole's mother, in the ITV series, The Growing Pains Of Adrian Mole.

She also did stints as a radio presenter, and appeared on the West End stage.

In 1986 she brought out her first book, Lulu - Her Autobiography, and in 1987 she was back in the charts with Shout. 1990s

SHE has a chart hit with Independence, while the album of the same name topped the Dance Chart.

She duetted with Take That on Relight My Fire, her first UK No 1, appeared on Absolutely Fabulous, fronted a Saturday lottery show and won an award for her song, I Don't Wanna Fight, a smash for both herself and Tina Turner. 2000s

LULU has further hits, is awarded an OBE, plays T in the Park. She is, by now, an institution. Source: www.luluofficial.com/www.lulu.co.uk