A GREAT grandad is celebrating hitting a hole in one - at the age of 88.

Jos Gorton, who now plays off a handicap of 24, made the 8,200 to one shot at Nelson Golf Club last Friday.

The pensioner, who lives in Kings Causeway, was playing with friends Charlie Langston and Peter Jewel when he hit the hole in one.

He said: “We were playing the second hole - it’s a short, par three hole. "The ball went flying across the green, but when we got there, there was no sign of it. "It was dry weather, so I thought it had gone over the back, but it was in the hole.

“I’m only just getting over the shock.”

In his younger years Jos, who grew up in Padiham, enjoyed playing football for St Mark’s Juniors.

But after serving in the RAF in the Second World War, he took up golf and joined the Nelson club in 1963.

In his golfing prime, he said he played off a handicap of 16 and once won the Corporation Trophy at Marsden Golf Club, Nelson.

However, he now restricts himself to ‘friendly golf’ three times a week.

Club professional Simon Eaton described Jos as a ‘keen golfer’ and ‘bit of a character’ as well.

He said: “A hole in one is a great achievement. He must have hit a driver on that hole.

“I’ve been playing for 20 years and have only hit one. It takes a bit of skill and a lot of luck as well.”

Jos, who is married to Marjorie and has two children, four grandchildren, as well as a great grandson, said he had two other holes in one to his name - both of which were achieved when he was much younger.

In true tradition he had to buy a bottle of whisky after his latest achievement to provide drinks all round.

But the modest veteran was quick to play down the feat.

“It’s just part and parcel of golfing life,” he said.