A RACING fan celebrated his 100th birthday with a tour of a County Durham racecourse.

Robert Arthur Dougall marked the occasion by visiting Sedgefield Race Course with his family.

Mr Dougall, who turned 100 at his Darlington care home on Saturday, was born in Close House, County Durham, in 1911.

One of five children, he left school at 13 to work as a miner, joining his father and brother down the pits until he was made redundant at 62.

A keen gardener with a particular fondness for chrysanthemums and tomatoes, he experienced regular success from the fruits of his allotment in many gardening competitions and was made an honorary member at his workingmen's club.

He married Jenny in 1936, and the couple had three children.

Mrs Dougall died in 1990.

He has four grandchildren and four greatgrandchildren.

Mr Dougall has lived in North Park Care Home, in Darlington, since 2009, where he celebrated his birthday with more than 30 of his family members.

Staff at the care home said that he was overwhelmed at the experience but that there were smiles from start to finish.