NORMAN Burton celebrated a very special birthday surrounded by friends and family last week.

The former bank employee has reached 100 years old – and celebrated with balloons, a cake and a card from the Queen.

Family members travelled from across the country to reach his side for the big day, including his 90-year-old sister, Margaret.

Niece Mary Wakefield said: “He had an absolutely lovely day.

“He was very well and very perky throughout the day, and he enjoyed it greatly, which is wonderful. We’re all delighted he had such a nice time.”

Mr Burton now lives at the Retired Nurses Home in Bournemouth.

Although he was never a medical professional himself, his kind voluntary support of the Riverside Avenue facility following his retirement in 1974 ensured he was given a home there when he decided to move.

Mrs Wakefield said: “He did a variety of different things after he retired from work, and he helped out there as a volunteer for some time.”

Mr Burton, who was born in Wimbledon, near London, first moved to Dorset in 1959 through his work with Barclays Bank.

Together with wife Win, to whom he was married in 1940, he started his new life in the county in a house in Boscombe.

Mrs Wakefield said: “Win died many years ago, but he always wanted to stay in the area.

“On his birthday, he was visited by family from all over England, including Suffolk and Norfolk. Lots of people came to his party and they were all saying what a lovely, kind man he is.”