CELEBRATIONS to mark the 100th birthday of World War Two veteran who has lived in the North East and North Yorkshire took place last weekend.

Alan Moore, from Scruton, near Northallerton, turned 100 on May 19 and celebrated with family at The New Inn, Thrintoft, near Northallerton.

Mr Moore was born in 1919 at 19 Neale Street, Sunderland, and also went to war aged 19, after having started an apprenticeship at Gardner's Bakery in Sunderland at 16 and rising to manager by 19.

Mr Moore's war started in November 1939 when he travelled to Newcastle Abby in Dalkieth for training with the Royal Army Medical Corps.

When he arrived, the recruits were housed in winter in First World War bell-tents full of mouse holes and smelling of mould.

Mr Moore's daughter Gill Saunders said: "Their training as medics consisted of climbing to the top of the hill with stretchers then sitting on it and sliding down to the bottom.

"They then discovered dad had catering experience and he was put in charge of the kitchen – an open fire."

Mr Moore went to France and was put in the 153 Field Ambulance supporting the 51st Highland Regiments.

He was captured by the Germans at Dunkirk and forced to march to Poland, but escaped in Warsaw and joined the Polish resistance.

On his return from the war, Mr Moore returned to working in bakeries and met his future wife Hilda, now 96, when she called into the bakery for cakes. They eventually married and had two children, Roger and Gillian.

The Moore family settled in Northallerton and Mr Moore served on Hambleton District Council, on the management board at the Friarage Hospital, and worked with people with disabilities. He was joined at his party by his wife, children, and some of his six grandchildren. He also has nine great-grandchildren.

Ms Saunders added: "We had a wonderful time at The New Inn – the staff all really looked after us and the food was fantastic."