A WAR hero who turns 100 this year has been presented with a prestigious lifelong achievement award at a special surprise ceremony.

Derek Williams, who lives in Dunkirk Memorial House in Bishops Lydeard was presented with the Lord Lieutenant Award for his lifetime of service to the Royal British Legion.

A former captain in Burma during the Second World War, Derek moved to the home with his wife Maude in 2002, and his since gone on to be a key member of committees as well as taking up a role as the home's official photographer.

Following the death of his wife, and feeling lost, Derek learned how to use a computer at the age of 90 and having learned photography he also produced a library of pictures in bound books for the home.

In his award citation, the Royal British Legion said Derek was the epitome of its maxim - 'Service not Self'.

As well as being an active member of the RBL's Quantock Branch, Derek took on a plethora of roles at Dunkirk Memorial House, becoming spokesman for the home, chairman of the residents house and food committees and a representative on its interview panel.

He even helped distribute poppies and wreaths and has visited schools at Remembrance time to talk about his war service.

Clea Cook, a former secretary at the home who taught Derek to use the computer, said: "Derek has tackled the computer with the same enthusiasm that he uses for everything, and he quickly got to grips with it - sending emails, surfing the net, and since becoming interested in photography he has learned to take, download, edit and print pictures."

Home manager Anne Lewin added: "Even in his 99th year Mr Williams still give his own time tirelessly speaking to others and liaising with the staff team to ensure we are aware of residents issues.

"The home would not run quite so smoothly without his continued hard work."