A RESIDENT at The Lawn care home in Holybourne celebrated his 100th birthday recently with a cream tea party.

It was a big day for Charlie Smith who was born on June 27, 1918, in the village of Meonstoke, in the Meon Valley, where he spent his childhood.

At the age of 18, in 1936, Charlie joined the RAF as a grounds engineer, serving throughout the war years, leaving in 1946 to join British Airways - a career that enabled him to travel the world.

He married Joan in 1940 and the couple went on to have two children. Charlie now has seven grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Charlie has been well known in his life for his DIY skills and has a passion for growing apples - he had apple trees in every house he lived in.

Alton resident Carol Derbyshire, Charlie’s daughter, said: “He is a good dad and granddad and is supportive of all his family.”

The Lawn care home is run by the Friends of the Elderly charity whose regional director, Cheryl Rothschild, said: “Charlie has lived with us for three years now, he is a well-liked resident and so we had a brilliant time celebrating his 100th birthday with his family.”