Former chief inspector 105 and still going strong

Arthur Laycock has been celebrating his 105th birthday with friends and family at the care home where he lives in Kingswinford.

Originally from Manchester, Mr Laycock worked as a salesman before moving down to the Midlands to begin his career with Staffordshire Police force in 1936.

He ended up reaching the rank of chief inspector and retired at the youthful age of 56 in 1966 - the same year England won the football World Cup.

In June 1944, he was even ordered to go down to the docks in Southampton to help welcome and assist soldiers returning from the D-Day landings.

Before becoming a bobby on the beat, he was an avid member of Lancashire Walking Club, even travelling to Holland in his mid twenties to embark on a 35-mile walk every day for four days with the club.

Arthur joined the walking club as a teenager and travelled all over the country, in such hikes as Nottingham to Birmingham and Manchester to Blackpool.

He had to give up his walking ways when he joined the force but maintains to this day that his early days of staying fit and healthy have helped him reach his 105th birthday.

He was married to Hilda Marie from 1939 until she passed away in 2004, aged 90. He lived on his own until July of this year but sadly after a fall, he was moved to Wyncroft House care home in Moss Grove, Kingswinford.

His only daughter, Cynthia Trotman, said it was a proud day her father reaching such a massive milestone on Thursday.

Mrs Trotman, aged 70 of Oakham, Dudley said: "It's great to be celebrating this birthday with dad and it's amazing to see that he's still as sharp as a tack.

"It's an age none of us ever think we will reach, so it's a very proud day for the family.

"In all honesty I'm surprised he's reached 105, it's a rare thing to hear. He's quite deaf now so we have to speak up, but he definitely still has his wits about him.

"He loved all the fuss we made of him on Thursday, he deserves every bit of it. He's a great man who's always been very patient and caring with me.

"He said he reached 105 because of how fit he was as a young man, he didn't smoke or drink and thinks it played a massive part in surpassing 100.

"We had a lovely day celebrating his 105th with all the carers. It's a shame because he was living in his own bungalow up until July of this year, but needed extra help so we thought it was best if he moved into a care home.

"A number of retired officers from the National Association of Retired police officers came to visit him, which was such a lovely gesture.

"They even think he's the oldest retired pensioner and police officer in the country, it's not something I would bet against to be honest."

Cynthia has said Arthur was a keen gardener and grew tomatoes and cucumbers while growing up.

He entered a cake competition and won when he was a teenager, but needed a little help from his mother.

Cynthia added: "I think he was encouraged to enter a cake competition by my grandmother and his friends. So on the day he made a sponge cake, but he was getting ready for his walking club, so he asked his mom to put it in the oven an exact amount of time whilst he was away. He came back and it was cooked perfectly, going on to win the competition."