A GREAT-great grandfather who grew up in London’s East End has celebrated his 100th birthday with family and friends.

Reg Puxley enjoyed a party with his guests, including granddaughter Clare, who travelled from her home in Los Angeles to Middleton Hall Retirement Village, near Darlington, where he lives.

Mr Puxley grew up in East Ham, London, and started his working life as a clerk on Smithfield Meat Market before going on to manage wholesale orders for the South of England for the market.

Mr Puxley, a great- great grandfather, was a keen cricketer and West Ham supporter and credited his long life to ‘eating well and taking lots of exercise.’

He retired to Norfolk with his wife, Win, before moving to the North-East to be closer to daughter Annie.

She joined the celebrations at the retirement village on Friday (March 7), along with her sister Barbie who had travelled up from Gloucestershire and the rest of his family.

Jeremy Walford, managing director of Middleton Hall, said: “Reg is a wonderful part of the Middleton Hall community and we’re delighted to be sharing his 100th birthday with him.”