'Remarkable and charming' Whalley man celebrates turning 100 with a socially-distant street party

The current president of Blackburn Artists, Donald, who served in the RAF during the Second World War, was delighted to be visited by Clitheroe Town Crier Roland Hailwood, who attended the party in his full regalia.

Donald, a talented artist who worked in the paint industry for the most of his life, was surrounded by friends and family who made a special trip from far to celebrate his big day.

The centenarian also received a congratulatory card from Her Majesty The Queen.

Describing him as a great person, a friend said: "Donald really is a remarkable and charming gentleman. The party was organised jointly by neighbours and people from Whalley Methodist Church, where Donald is a regular at the Elevenses gatherings."

Donald's hobbies include watercolour painting, fishing and photography and he is interested in all sports, but particularly tennis which he played quite a lot of. He enjoys travel too.

He wrote a short book about some of his more lighthearted experiences during the war, entitled "Oh No, Not Another".