The Sporle veteran has looked after himself for the past 12 years or so since his wife Florence died after about 60 years of happy married life.

“I do my own washing and I have a hot meal every day which I cook myself,” he said.

Bill had a big surprise on his recent 100th birthday when he was taken to his favourite pub in the village for what he thought was to be a celebration lunch with just his son, John.

For waiting inside were all his family from the Peterborough area and friends from as far away as Scotland, Manchester and Nottingham who had made the journey to be with him on his big day.

“They were all shouting ‘Happy Birthday’ – and from then on I was in shock. It was a lovely surprise and I have not recovered from it since,” he said.

Another special treat for the centenarian was tasting lobster for the first time in the run-up to his birthday.

He was given two of the shellfish delicacies to try for free by his favourite fishmonger, G.R. Bunning and Co, during his regular Saturday visit to Swaffham Market.

Non-smoker Bill, who has two grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, was born in London and during the Second World War served with the Army in North Africa and Italy. As an amateur boxer, he fought for his regiment and was also a boxing instructor.

He was made redundant from his job as a French polisher when he was 60 and retired two years later.

“I came to Norfolk 32 years ago and it was the best thing I ever did,” he said.

A neighbour now gives Bill a lift into Swaffham for his shopping, but until ten years ago he was driving himself.

“I used to have a car but I packed that up when I was 90 because I was slowing up and thought it was dangerous,” he said.

mike.last@lynnnews.co.uk