BORN before the start of World War One, Jack Gardiner of Crediton celebrated his 103rd birthday with his family and friends.

A Middlesex man, born at Uxbridge, Jack was an engineer, moving to Crediton more than 30 years ago to be near his family. His daughter, June, is married to Clive Jones and then they were running Venn's Electrical on Crediton High Street.

June has a brother who lives in Bude. Jack has five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren, some living in Brazil.

Until three years ago Jack lived on his own. He now has his own "granddad flat" with June and Clive.

Not long after he came to Crediton Jack began to get involved in things. "I remember helping Dr Christopher Maycock and Mrs Mary Blamey set up Trevella with my wife, Harriet, about 25 years ago," said Jack.

"The lunch club then moved from Trevella to Stanbury Court. I was part of the move and was on the organising committee until two years ago," said Jack

He used to help Clive put out the flags on Crediton High Street for the Carnival and would help with the family's float.

He also helped Clive deliver gas to the World Jamboree at Lords Meadow in 1980. "We were there for 10 days, 8am-6.30pm, running round and round the camp site with gas," said Clive. "We often put out little fires as well!"

Jack was given a computer for his birthday some years ago, still has the same machine and, at one time, taught other members of Age Concern Crediton the basics of computing.