THEY say better late than never and that is certainly the case for this pensioner.

War veteran Jack White, entered a brave new world on his birthday as he embraced modern technology to see his daughter 1,500 miles away.

Jack, who turned 94 on Friday, took advantage of the recently-installed wireless internet service at Wiveliscombe Community Centre to Skype his daughter Cynthia who lives near Malaga, Spain.

Skype is an online programme connecting internet users with video technology.

Jack said: “We talk every Sunday on the phone but I haven’t seen her since Christmas. This is the first time I’ve used anything like this, it’s great and good to see my family.

“I come to the centre every Friday. Things like this are brilliant for people like me – I wouldn’t have this opportunity otherwise.”

Jack, a regular user of the NHS Day Centre in town, is a former flight engineer and was involved in the D-Day landings in 1944.

He says he is still in contact with a member from his squadron and is to shortly receive a war clasp from 1939.

To mark his birthday he tucked into fish, chips, peas, washed down with a beer after dragging himself away from the laptop.

Dave Willis, caretaker at Wiveliscombe Community Centre, says Jack’s story highlights why he decided to install the WiFi.

“One of the reasons for setting up an internet capability was to make it available to those not able or not inclined to take advantage,” said Dave.

“People can drop in and use the facility for free. If they want to leave a small donation they can and if they’ve got no money then it’s no different. This is for people like Jack to use.

“He doesn't get to see his daughter very often and this was a touching moment and reiterated the necessity for us to provide these opportunities for those less able to do it for themselves.”