THIS week Nether Stowey’s Charles Henry Wilkins will be celebrating his 100th birthday.

Born in Christchurch on August 8, 1920, Charles went on to become a true Somerset community man and has been described as ‘an inspiration’ by his family.

Charles is a war veteran who did his National Service as a Royal Engineer during the Second World War.

Living in Nether Stowey, on his return he was welcomed with open arms by the village and his family including his wife and 12 children - six boys and six girls.

Charles’s granddaughter Kim Wilkins said: “He is a dedicated family man who has always enjoyed the outside fresh air.”

After his National Service Charles quickly got back to the flow of normal life, working in the local quarries around Somerset.

During this time he continued serving his local community, helping out around the village and worked as a retained fireman for 19 years.

He also went on to work for the local RAF based near Bridgwater and at the old Cellophane factory, which is where he stayed till he retired.

Ms Wilkins continued: “Sadly Charles lost his wife in 1995, but he had the love of his family and community to help pull him through.”

To mark the occasion, Mr Wilkins will be celebrating his centenary with a socially distanced gathering of family and friends, enjoying birthday cake, drinks, laughter and sharing memories.