England's oldest man, born in Hull, celebrates 111th birthday

Bob Weighton with his personal number plate for his mobility scooter as he turns 111 years old Credit: Steve Parsons/PA Wire

England's oldest man Bob Weighton has put his longevity down to being one of "life's survivors".

The former teacher and engineer is celebrating his 111th birthday today with his many friends at his retirement flat in Alton, Hampshire.

Reacting to the fuss surrounding his birthday, Mr Weighton, who was born in Hull on March 29 1908, said: "I do not like the attention.

"I quite like meeting people I have never seen before, that's one of my delights. I like meeting people who have been places and have some understanding of what it means to be human."

Undated family handout photo of a young Bob Weighton Credit: Family handout/PA Wire

He said he had requested not to get a birthday card from the Queen any more, explaining: "I do not see why the state should pay for the Queen to send out all these things, it's not a personal thing.

"I thought that's enough, but I might consider another one next year if I live that long."

Bob Weighton with last year's telegram from the Queen Credit: Steve Parsons/PA Wire

Mr Weighton, who had two sons and a daughter, 10 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren, said the world had changed "enormously" in his lifetime but people had mostly stayed the same.

A retired engineer, he still has a workshop in his flat where he makes windmills and ornaments from recycled wood.

He also still shops and cooks for himself, and regularly goes to the local supermarket using his walking aid, for which he has had a new number plate 'Bob 111' created to mark his birthday.

Bob Weighton commissioned this special registration plate for his walking aid Credit: Steve Parsons/PA Wire

Describing himself as an "international person", Mr Weighton said he kept up to date with world news by reading The Economist which avoids the "tittle and tattle and gossip".

As for his view of Brexit, on the day the UK had been due to leave the EU, he described it as a "mess and a muddle" adding: "My own feeling is that if there were defects, and there were quite obviously defects, we can negotiate on the inside rather than walking off the field with the cricket ball and saying 'I'm not playing'."