BY George, he's done it! Celebrations were the order of the day when former Bewdley toolsetter Herbert Pritchard notched up 100 years last Tuesday - on St George's Day.

Mr Pritchard, who originally hails from Darlaston, celebrated with family, friends and neighbours at a party held at the Ramada Hotel, Bewdley, at the weekend.

An inveterate walker until 10 years ago, he retired as toolroom supervisor at Birmid Aluminium Casting, Smethwick, and subsequently took up watercolour painting and sketching.

As a worker in a reserved occupation, he did not see active service during the Second World War but served with St John Ambulance and as an ARP warden.

He married Doris, his former wife, in Darlaston and the couple shared nearly 70 years together before her death six years ago. He has one son, Alan, and two grandchildren.

Daughter-in-law Margaret said: "He's a quiet and steady man, always immaculately dressed and quite self-sufficient. We all admire him."