And whatever the distances he covered on his pushbike all those years ago, the milestone of Ted becoming a centenarian was all the more significant when the occasion was marked with a tea party, a congratulations message from the Queen and a visit by Littlehampton mayor Dr James Walsh.

Ted enjoyed spending time on the beach here in his younger days, and his love of the sea was one of the reasons he and his wife **** later moved to the south coast.

He was also keen on sport, taking part in boxing, rowing and playing tennis. These days he enjoys watching football, tennis and sailing on television, and his 100th birthday cake featured two football teams lining up on a pitch.

Ironically, the sea played a major part in Ted's life when, serving as third officer on a ship during the Second World War, he narrowly escaped death in a torpedo attack approaching Malta. Many of his shipmates died.

After the war Ted become a civil servant and with his wife lived in Surrey. Their marriage lasted for 70 years, although they did not have any children, until her death at the age of 90 in 1998.

Ted was originally living at Oakland Court, Felpham and following a stay in hospital it was suggested he should move to its sister home, Oakland Grange, so that he could be in Littlehampton, his cycling destination so long ago. He moved into Oakland Grange in February, 2004.

Longevity appears to run in the family as Ted has a sister, Violet, who is 104-years-old.

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