A FORMER miner from the North-East has celebrated his 100th birthday surrounded by family and friends.

John Layton was born on December 6, 1914, and has lived in the former pit village of Dipton in County Durham all of his life.

He worked in the colliery and has been an active part of the community, attending service at St John’s Church until it closed earlier this year, bowling and was an member of Dipton Scout Group and St John Ambulance.

He married Maud and the couple enjoyed dancing and coach holidays, celebrating their diamond wedding in 2002 before her death five years later.

They had two daughters, Sylvia and Anne, four grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and a great, great grandson.

Relatives and friends, as well as north-west Durham MP Pat Glass, gathered at Dipton Community Centre on Saturday to wish Mr Layton a Happy Birthday.

His daughter, Anne, said: “It was brilliant, such a lovely day. He has been very much looking forward to his birthday because he knew we were having party for him. He was an active gardener and loved spending time in his greenhouse and that is what has kept him fit.

“He has been very lucky to have been healthy all of his life.”