A Blackburn man has celebrated his 100th birthday surrounded by family and friends.

James Wilson, known to his friends and family as Jim, turned 100 on Friday (March 25), spending two fabulous days celebrating with his fellow residents at Each Step Care Home in Blackburn before being joined by his family on Saturday.

His daughter, Jean Landau said: “The care home has been absolutely amazing. Dad has had a wonderful couple of days.

“It has been so amazing that we have been able to celebrate this occasion with him.

“The home put together a sign in the shape of the number 100 with a load of pictures taken through his life – it was brilliant.”

Lancashire Telegraph: James with his wife Lily holding his 100th birthday card from the QueenJames with his wife Lily holding his 100th birthday card from the Queen

James, who was born in Blackburn on March 25, 1922, was a welder after finishing school at St Paul’s C of E School, now St Barnabas and St Pauls's Primary School, at 14.

He has a sister called Lillian Hartley who lives at the care home with him, as well as a second sister Florrie Mangham and a brother Robert Wilson, both of whom have sadly died.

James married Lily on September 30, 1944, and will this year be celebrating their 77th wedding anniversary.

Lancashire Telegraph: James and Lily Wilson on their 70th wedding anniversaryJames and Lily Wilson on their 70th wedding anniversary

They had one daughter, Jean in 1947. Jim also had two grandsons, Jason Landau and Anthony Landau and four great-grandchildren, Harry Landau, 11, Jake Landau, 8, Zack Landau, 8, and Immy Landau, 6.

On Friday, the care home threw a party for Jim with singing, dancing and a cake before his family visited him on Saturday to throw a second party.

During his working life, Jim served for two years in the Royal Air Force and was a trained welder, beginning his career at Foster, Yates and Thom Engineering.

Lancashire Telegraph: James inspecting some work at Foster, Yates and Thom James inspecting some work at Foster, Yates and Thom

He then went on to work for English Electric in Clayton Le Moors, which later became GEC, before he retired in 1987.

Jim also had a number of hobbies including dancing with his wife, repairing clocks and collecting coins.

He moved to Each Step Care Home at the start of the coronavirus pandemic.