A ROYAL Air Force veteran who served during the Second World War was treated like royalty as he celebrated his 100th birthday in style.

Alwyne James of St John's, Worcester celebrated the magnificent milestone with a birthday party organised by the Worcester and district branch of the Royal Air Forces Association at Bromyard Road Methodist Church Hall in Worcester on Wednesday.

Mr James, the oldest member of the branch, is a stalwart of the association and still attends meetings regularly.

He may have received a card from the Queen on his big day but he was treated like royalty himself by his RAF comrades when they threw a party in his honour.

He and 40 others enjoyed afternoon tea while Mr James was presented with two books by the RAF Regiment and treated to a commemorative cake which featured the emblem of the association and a personal message of congratulations for his centenary.

The Royal Air Forces Association's Worcester and district branch chairman John Mason presented him with a body warmer emblazoned with the embroidered crest of his regiment.

The veteran, who turned 100 on Boxing Day last year, was called up in 1940 and in 1942 was transferred to the Royal Air Force Regiment, where, armed with a rifle, he guarded airfields before he was demobbed in 1946.

After the war he worked in an office at Dowty Meco in Worcester and celebrated his golden wedding anniversary with wife Mary before she died.

The former organist and keen amateur photographer who loves classical music completed his training in Blackpool and was based at RAF Abingdon in Oxfordshire.

He guarded Whitley bombers and during the course of his service in the Second World War was based at several airfields in Belgium, Holland, France and Germany.

Manchester-born widower Mr James, who does not have any children, said he valued the friendships he developed while in the RAF.

He said: "We never stayed in one place for very long. Luckily we all came out of the war unscathed.

"It is quite an honour for me to get anything like this. I never expected anything. I am quite touched. I didn't realise I had so many friends."

Members of his family also attended, including nephew Raymond Biddle, his wife Phyllis, of Manchester and niece Glynes Atkins and husband Chris of Worcester.

Mrs Atkins said: "It's wonderful. As a family we are so proud of him. He has been very independent all his life. His carer Pat has done everything for him.

"To think the association has laid all this on for him is wonderful."

Mr Biddle said: "He was very proud to get that card from the Queen. That made his birthday. The association really looks after him."

For further information about the Worcester and district branch of the Royal Air Forces Association contact secretary W.Arthur Burgess on 01905 424977 or via email on william.burgess2@outlook.com