A FORMER shopkeeper and RAF pilot has celebrated his 100th birthday.

Alfred Moody, better known as Alf, celebrated the milestone with four generations of his family, including great-granddaughter Harriet, who is a century his junior.

The former businessman was well-known in Durham, where he ran Moody’s butchers and grocers, in Sutton Street.

His daughters Linda Young and Dianne Chrystal arranged the party at Sherburn House, where he now lives.

Mrs Young said: “It’s been a lovely day celebrating with family.”

Born in Pickhill, Yorkshire, he lived in Shincliffe, near Durham, for most of his life after moving there aged one.

A former Durham Johnston pupil, he was going to become a doctor, but dropped out of Newcastle University following the death of his father.

Instead he worked in the family business and when the war broke out joined the RAF’s squadron 106.

At first flying Hampden bombers, he moved on to a Lancaster bomber and was almost shot down over the River Tyne, on boxing day 1943, when half of his squadron was killed.

He married his wife Hilda after the war and had two daughters. A keen gardener, he now has four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.