A GREAT-GREAT grandfather celebrated his 100th birthday with friends and family.

Eric Joslin marked the milestone on July 1, surrounded by four generations of his family at Canvey Conservative Club.

A proud grandfather, Mr Joslin has 20 grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

The only people missing from the party were his great-great grandchildren – the youngest being only 15 months old.

Mr Joslin, of Boyce View Road, Benfleet, whoworked for Heinz for most of his life, served with the Army’s Pioneer Corps in France, Germany and the Pharaoh Islands during the Second World War.

He was married to his late wife, Dorothy, for 40 years.

He said: “I’m overcome and quite overwhelmed by it all.

“I don’t feel any different, just a little bit stiff from the arthritis. I received a telegram from the Queen and one from the DWP. It was all very nicely arranged by my daughter.”

Granddaughter Helen Rose, 51, of Dinant Avenue, Canvey, said: “He is wonderful and he has got all of his marbles.

“He keeps the family together and you daren’t argue with him.”

Daughter Jenny White, 73, of Hannett Road, Canvey, said: “We were so pleased that he reached 100.

“He had four generations with him that day.

“There are five generations, but the two youngest unfortunately couldn’t be there. “ Mrs White added: “He has been the greatest dad and grandfather.

“He has always been there for all of us through thick and thin.

“We know we can always go to him and he will always try to sort our problems out for us.

“He still comes to us every Sunday for Sunday lunch and he still drives, goes on the computer and is on Facebook.

“He has quite a good social life, too.”