SUPER Sid Arrowsmith celebrated his 100th birthday in style last night - when he became Britain's oldest lifeboatman.

Fundraiser extraordinaire Sid was made an honorary crew member of the RNLI lifeboat station at Redcar.

It is the first time in the history of the institution that a centenarian has been awarded such a distinction. Not even the Queen Mother, the RNLI's patron, has been so honoured.

Sid, from Darlington, was treated to a birthday party last night at the club where he has been a member for nearly 70 years.

Representatives from several charities, for whom Sid has raised tens of thousands of pounds over the years, packed into Hopetown and Whessoe Social Club, Darlington, for his big night.

Charity champ Sid - whose motto is: "If I can help somebody as I pass along, then my life has not been in vain," - arrived at the club in a new chauffeur-driven Jaguar car.

There were several surprises for Sid, but the biggest was the presentation from members of the Redcar lifeboat crew, who voted unanimously to admit him.

Spokesman Dave Cammish said: "We did a check that the Queen Mother isn't an honorary member and she's not, so Sid Arrowsmith is the first ever at the age of a hundred, and it's entirely unique.

"He's been a regular visitor, but we had no idea he was approaching this milestone. We're very pleased to know the old boy."

Sid was given a vellum certificate, normally reserved for lifeboatmen with 30 years' service, and a presentation tie usually given to visiting heads of state.

During the evening, club members presented him with a plaque and a specially designed photograph display.

The Durham branch of the CIU also awarded him a plaque to thank him for his charity work for its convalescence home at Saltburn. Bar staff bought Sid a crystal glass and poured him a free pint, which he has been getting courtesy of the Federation Brewery for the last ten years.

There were other presentations made by the brewery, The Talking Newspaper and The Samaritans.