An Oxfordshire veteran of two world wars started his 105th birthday just like any other day.

William Stone got up at 6am at his home in Orchard Walk, Watlington, and worked out with his chest expanders on his arms and legs.

He said: "That's how I keep going -- I keep fit. I don't feel 105 -- I am still enjoying life."

During the morning he read through the 150 cards he got from friends, relatives and service organisations from all over the world.

He said: "I am absolutely inundated with cards -- it's wonderful that so many people have remembered me and wish me well.

"I haven't an enemy in the world -- I've outlived them all!"

In the afternoon he celebrated with 60 friends and relatives at Watlington's Memorial Club, surrounded by people who admire him and are delighted at his longevity.

He is proud to represent veterans of the First and Second world wars at events all over the country.

Last weekend he was at a celebration in Reading.

He said: "I was invited and people were told I was coming so lots more people than usual turned up, just to see me.

"It makes me very proud to represent people who could not be there -- it is right that they and their sacrifices should be remembered.

"I know I am a very lucky man to have survived so long and I am overwhelmed by people's generosity to me."

Mr Stone, the 10th of 14 children, wanted to join up for military service at 16 but his father prevented him.

But he got into the Royal Navy as soon as he could and spent 27 years with the service as stoker, chief stoker and chief petty officer, seeing service in the First World War.

In the Second World War he was at the Dunkirk evacuation on the minesweeper Salamander which went back to the beaches five times to pick up stranded soldiers. He also served on the Atlantic convoys.

During the last few years he has represented his fallen comrades at services at the Cenotaph in London where he laid a wreath, at Christ Church in Oxford, at the Royal Navy's Trafalgar Day celebrations and at functions all round the county. This year Mr Stone was chosen as Fox FM's Local Hero and Central Television's Personality of the Year.