Walter Miles' 100th is a real family affair

It is not often that you are surrounded by quite so many family members.

But in Walter Miles's case, nearly five generations of his family from across the country, and even France, gravitated to Smethwick to wish him a happy 100th birthday on Saturday.

Mr Miles was greeted by his four children, 16 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, one of whom is due to give birth in the summer. The family gathered at Thimblemill Recreation Centre in Thimblemill Road.

The secret to a long and happy life, according to Mr Miles, is "not to sit down and look at four walls but get out every day and do something".

A retired driver who lives in Smethwick, Mr Miles also drove with the Royal Artillery during the war, supplying the troops in Burma.

He then swapped the land for the skies, and went on board aircraft to drop supplies to the soldiers on the ground. He continued as a driver throughout his adult life and retired aged 65.

He and wife of nearly 50 years, Ida, who died in 1996, had five children together: David, 71, of London; Margaret, who sadly died of cancer nine years ago, aged 60; Michael, 64, of Dorset; Valerie, 61, who now lives in France; and Maureen, 57, of Poole.

Michael said: "For someone who was born in 1911, to see his grandchildren spreading out across the world is great for him.

"With all the family getting together there was so much catching up on news to do. It was a good evening."

He added: "He really means it about getting out and about. He doesn't sit around, he goes out and meets people and a lot of those friends were there at the party.

"He goes to Londonderry Baptist Church, and a tea club in Smethwick."

The party included a DJ and food, and Michael said even his centenarian father got up for a quick go on the dance floor.