A WAR veteran is celebrating his 100th birthday in Bolton today.

Doug Jones, of Egerton, is ringing in 100 years with a family party — regaling his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren with tales of years gone by.

Among them are Mr Jones' memories of serving in the Second World War as a driver in the army.

During the war, Mr Jones married his wife Norah, and the pair are still going strong. The extraordinary couple, who were married at 8am on a September day in 1942, looking forward to celebrating their 77th wedding anniversary next month.

Earlier in the war, in 1940, Mr Jones was also one of the final soldiers to be evacuated from the beaches of Dunkirk. Though he found his memories of war difficult to dwell on, he is now able to proudly display his war medals after 74 years among his close family.

In his working life, Mr Jones was a bus driver in the Midlands, before moving to Bolton to be with his grown-up children in the late 1980s.

The lifelong Manchester United fan now keeps busy with an every-growing family. He now has 12 great grandchildren who visit him regularly.

Mick Jones said: "He's been a great dad to me and he loves spending time with his children and grandchildren.

"Both my dad and mum are really excited to be celebrating today."