Ringwood great-grandad Victor Marston has beaten cancer - at the age of 99. 

Mr Marston - a great grandfather to five - is one of the oldest patients in the world to have been cured of cancer, according to his surgeon at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital

The courageous survivor said he was pleased to have been given the all-clear just 11 days after surgery because he had "so much left to do" with his life.

A veteran of the World War Two Territorial Army, Mr Marston was admitted to hospital on May 8 with stomach pains.

He was operated on to remove a cancerous tumour within hours of being admitted.

He said: “I am so pleased that I have been given the all clear – this is the third time I have had cancer so it’s quite amazing. My treatment at RBH has been absolutely top class.

“I lost my wife some years ago, but I still have a full and busy life socialising at the Ringwood Conservative Club and going on holiday – I was due to go on holiday on May 22 to Torquay, but that will now be rearranged. I also enjoy spending time with my family and grandchildren, so I’m looking forward to going home.”

When asked what his secret to long life was, Mr Marston added: “I’m not sure but four years ago I was told by one of my doctors I was allowed a half pint of beer a day and I have, so maybe that’s got something to do with it."

Doctors pronounced him cancer-free on Wednesday.

Consultant colorectal surgeon, Sanjaya Wijeyekoon, Mr Marston's surgeon, said: "Mr Marston is certainly the oldest cancer patient to be cured at RBH, and we have been researching for the past few days whether there is another cancer survivor older than him in the world, but so far we haven't found anyone who has beaten his record."

Mr Wijeyekoon added: “Mr Marston is a true inspiration. His story is remarkable and demonstrates the NHS’s commitment to providing quality care to every single one of its patients, no matter their age or if it is the weekend."