OLD soldier Alan Rowcroft had a party to remember when young musicians from his former regiment saluted his 80th birthday in style.

The Royal Marines Cadet Band, in full military uniform, performed for the Prestwich pensioner who was almost moved to tears by the tribute.

Mr Rowcroft, of Cawley Avenue, had been taken to the Welcome Inn in Bury Old Road on Saturday (July 31) by the youngest of his two daughters, Lisa, for the party ahead of Wednesday's (Aug 4) 80th birthday.

But unbeknown to him, Lisa had invited some other special "guests", the Liverpool-based Royal Marines Cadets and Mr Rowcroft's colleagues from the Manchester and Salford branch of the Royal Marines Association.

The band struck up as the pensioner and wife Marjorie (78) entered the function room and there was cheering and applause from family and friends who had gathered to welcome him.

Mr Rowcroft, who served with the Royal Marines during the Second World War, said: "It was a fantastic evening and the appearance of the cadet band was a lovely surprise. When the drums beat out, it almost made me cry. It was very overcoming."

The party also allowed him to meet up again with some old chums he hadn't seen for 60 years.

Mr Rowcroft joined the Royal Marines in 1941 and served initially the Middle East. "I then came back for special service for Normandy and after that I was shipped out to the Far East," he recalled.

He has been a member of the Manchester and Salford branch of the Royal Marines Association since 1946 and has represented the organisation at numerous Remembrance Day parades throughout the years.