INSPECTOR Morse author Colin Dexter said he was “honoured” to present a book to a 100-year-old war veteran.

John Lloyd, from Southmoor, near Abingdon, celebrated his centenary year with the Oxford author on Saturday.

Mr Dexter said “I was very honoured to be asked to present a gift to John. I have never had my photo taken with a man of 100 before.”

Mr Lloyd is a Royal Navy veteran who was awarded an Arctic Star for his services on convoys to Russia during the Second World War.

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He served with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve from August 1939 to November 1945 and was involved in several convoys during the conflict, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander on HMS LST 3515, later named HMS Stalker.

His son Anthony, who owns Fallowfields Country House Hotel in Southmoor, arranged the birthday bash.

Mr Lloyd lives in a converted barn in the hotel grounds.

Amanda Baker, a consultant in sales and marketing for the hotel is a friend of Mr Dexter.

She said: “John is a fan of Inspector Morse and he was delighted when I asked him if he would like Colin to come.

“Everyone had a great time.”