A devoted great-grandfather who lived through both World Wars has celebrated his 100th birthday.

Nick Tanner, of Malcolm Road, Wimbledon, was born just after the start of the First World War and served as a meteorologist with the Royal Naval Reserve during the Second World War.

The retired charter surveyor, who has lived in Wimbledon for nearly 70 years, is well-known in the community and can still be seen getting out and about with his walking stick.

Receiving his birthday card from the Queen this morning, he said: "I had a very nice card from Her Majesty.

"That's the second one I've had actually, the first was our wedding anniversary so this is the second one to put on our mantelpiece which is rather nice."

Mr Tanner's three children, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren gathered for a birthday tea on Sunday at the Garden Hall in St Mary's Church, Wimbledon.

Asked how he feels about surviving a century, he said: "I'm interested to see how it goes and carries on from here.

"My wife passed away which was rather a pity but otherwise I have my carer who looks after me very well and there's all the family and their husbands and wives and their children and grandchildren."

Barbara Tanner died last year, aged 92. The couple were due to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary this year.

Their daughter, Angela Butler, who organised the tea party, said: "He's really amazing for 100. I'm very proud of him.

"He has always had a deep interest in his grandchildren and what they are doing.

"For example my daughter did the Tall Ships Race and the boats were coming into the north of Scotland and even though they were in their 80s my parents drove all the way up there.

"They were always spontaneous and very active."

Wimbledon Times:

Family affair: Nick Tanner with three generations of descendants at his birthday tea party 

Mr Tanner grew up in Shepperton, Surrey with his mother and four sisters. His father died in Asia when he was four, during the 1918 flu pandemic.

Wimbledon Times:

Another era: Nick Tanner as a baby with his mother and four sisters in 1915

He moved to Raymond Road, Wimbledon in about 1950 with his wife before buying a plot of land in Malcolm Road and building his family home a few years later.

He said: "There's many worse places to live round here. It's very satisfactory."

Asked if he has any advice for reaching a century, Mr Tanner said: "Just keep exercising, not just sitting down, getting out and walking or playing."