A FORMER camera engineer has been celebrating his 90th birthday along with staff and residents at his Oxfordshire nursing home.

Albert 'Bert' Rowan reached the milestone on Wednesday, and celebrated with a cake at Glebefields in Drayton near Banbury.

Staff and his Glebefields friends sang happy birthday as Mr Rowan was given his favourite cake – a fresh cream and strawberry Victoria sponge.

His carers described him as ‘a character and loved by everyone’.

He was born in Kilburn, London, and, before the war, moved to live with his auntie in Dollis Hill, West London.

Mr Rowan worked as an electrician designer and created cameras.

His favourite tipple is Southern Comfort and he enjoys listening to modern jazz and would like to visit Spain and Florida.

As a lifelong Brentford Football Club supporter, he was thrilled earlier this month to receive an early birthday present from Glebefields’ activities coordinator – a copy of the August 14 game programme Brentford V Arsenal which Brentford won 2-0.

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Mr Rowan has five children; three boys and two girls who live across England, He also has nine grandchildren with a great grandchild on the way.

Nisha Shaji, general manager at Glebefields, said: “We’re delighted to be part of Bert’s birthday celebrations, he’s a wonderful gentleman and such a popular resident who always has an interesting tale to tell!”

Glebefields care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering high-quality care across its care homes and hospitals.

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Glebefields provides residential and respite care for elderly frail residents.

Barchester Healthcare is one of the UK’s largest care providers supporting older people living independent lives with dignity and respect.