FRIENDS and family held two parties to help centenarian Sidney Arthur Blanchard mark his special birthday.

Mr Blanchard has lived and worked in the Bedale and Leeming Bar area all his life. Born the youngest of ten children he started work at 14 at the old Mattison Foundry in Leeming Bar which later became JH Gill, agricultural engineers, which is where Mr Blanchard met his future wife Edith Gill, his employer's youngest daughter.

Mr Blanchard had worked his way up to service manager in charge before his retirement in 1980.

The couple had three sons Alan, Peter and Colin and five grandchildren. One grandchild Richard died in 1997.

Mr Blanchard now lives in Bedale where he is a supporter of Dalescare, the community centre for elderly people, which he attends for lunch five days a week.

Family organised a party at The Greyhound at Hackforth to celebrate his birthday and a further party was held at Dalescare where Mr Blanchard shared the opening of his card from the Queen with many friends.

Youngest son Colin said: "My father is a remarkable man, he is still extremely active, he always loved walking and sport, playing football and cricket well into his forties.

"He survived a near fatal crash just a couple of years ago, thanks to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

"Dad has a great memory and can remember the names of many people he went to school with, he keeps busy and loves birdlife.

“He had a wonderful birthday, we want to thank everybody who helped him celebrate, especially friends and staff at Dalescare."