A FORMER scout leader and Methodist preacher born during the First World War celebrated his 100th birthday with family members who flew in from as far afield as Australia and Azerbaijan.

Harold Beeforth, who was born on May 10, 1913, was presented with three medals for his service in the Second World War as a special gift.

Relatives had applied for the medals on his behalf.

Mr Beeforth, who also received a card from the Queen, said: "I don't know how I feel, I have never been in this position before."

The centenarian, who celebrated his birthday with a party in sheltered accommodation in Middlesbrough, added: "I will enjoy myself when you lot go home."

The middle child of seven, he was educated at the town's Fleetham School before becoming an apprentice joiner and marrying Bessie Long in 1940.

He was on guard duty in the Redcar area before getting called up in 1943, serving as a corporal in the RAF in France, Germany and Belgium.

Daughter Linda Smith said: "When he was in Guisborough on patrol, he said "all I had was a gun and me".

"A German aircraft went under the radar and ten minutes later there was an enormous bang. Later he found out it was Middlesbrough Railway Station being blown up."

In 1946 he transferred to Singapore where he was in charge of the Japanese Prisoner of War building at Changi Airport before being demobbed a year later and returning to the building trade in Middlesbrough as a foreman.

"He can remember the end of the First World War, he was five and living on Union Street," Mrs Smith added. "At about the same age he also remembers his mother taking his hand and going out into the street to see the first biplane to fly over Middlesbrough."

Mr Beeforth was a keen scout leader and Methodist preacher for 40 years in the Middlesbrough and Danby, North Yorkshire, circuits.

Now a widower, he has three children, Linda, John and Dorothy, six grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Son John Beeforth, who had travelled from Brisbane for the centenary, said his family back in Australia was throwing its own party featuring a cake decorated with 100 Maltesers.

Granddaughter Rachel Smith added: "He is fantastic as a great-grandad, he always has icepops in and makes sure they get their pocket money."