FORMER Oxford car factory worker Tomo Novakovic celebrated with family and friends after reaching his centenary.

Mr Novakovic, who lives at Townsend House care home in Headington, was surrounded by his relatives for the 100th birthday party on Monday.

A former worker at Morris Motors in Cowley, the father-of-three was born in Dalmatia, part of modern-day Croatia, on October 18, 1910.

He married his wife Anna in March 1933 and the couple had two sons, Lazo and Simo and daughter Milica.

Following the Second World War, the family moved to the UK in 1947. Mr Novakovic was at Bicester Garrison for 10 years before joining Morris Motors. He worked at the car plant for 15 years before taking early retirement.

Mr Novakovic’s daughter, Milica Talbot-Best, 65, who lives in Abingdon, said: “Dad was pleased to get a card from Iain Duncan-Smith, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.

“He was determined to reach his 100th birthday and really enjoyed the family celebrations.”

Mr Novakovic lived with his wife Anna at their home in Campbell Road, Cowley, until her death aged 93 in 2006.