A west Dorset centenarian had an overwhelming and touching tribute to his milestone birthday when neighbours came out to wish him happy birthday.

John Fennelly, of Charmouth, celebrated his 100th birthday on June 11 with numerous neighbours lining the streets with banners and balloons as he was driven around the village by his family.

Mr Fennelly was born on June 11, 1920 in Watlington, Oxford. He lived in Buckinghamshire until 1984 when he retired to Charmouth. He was married for 63 years until his wife, Wyn, died in 2011.

He was in the home guard during the war before becoming an aeronautical engineer - the development of aircraft and spacecraft - and had a successful career at Martin Bakers, a manufacturer of ejection and crashworthy seats, where he helped to continue the development of the ejection seat for the military.

He shares his birthday with his granddaughter, Honor, who turned 30 on the same day.

She said: “He has always loved gardening, he loves animals, he has a daily routine and loves his lovely cups of tea. He is a splendid man and always happy and still going strong. He was overwhelmed with the support from our community in Charmouth and I’m sure I nearly saw a tear in his eye.

“The support from the community was just overwhelming and really touched us. We couldn’t believe the turnout and people had even bought banners, party poppers and written signs with my grandad’s name on it.

“I normally work abroad in Greece with my own bar, but due to the lockdown, I have stayed here in the UK and therefore been able to spend this birthday with my grandad - everything happens for a reason.

“I know it was my 30th, but it made my day seeing everyone come out and greet him and cheer for him. I had tears in my eyes.

“Everyone in our street came out to wave for him. My grandad said he now know how the Queen feels.”

They celebrated with a glass of prosecco and family were able to come and give socially distanced well-wishes. Mr Fennelly has become a great-grandfather and was able to meet his great-granddaughter, Amelie, for the first time at a distance.

He received his letter for the Queen and the family bought him a special frame for it to go in and his daughter also had his name etched on a Vulcan wing.