A RETIRED electrician from Settle celebrated a landmark birthdawith relatives coming from as far afield as Wiltshire to mark the occasion.

Ken Carr, of Ingfield Estate, was 90 and a surprise party for around 20 guests had been organised at the Falcon Manor Hotel by daughter Linda and next door neighbour Marjorie Robinson.

Mr Carr was born in Westmoreland Street, in Skipton, and during World War Two served with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) in Burma and India. He worked mainly on tanks and reached the rank of warrant officer 1.

When the war ended he eventually returned to Craven and worked as an electrician with Dugdales, in Settle.

It was at Dugdales that he met his wife, Margaret, who worked in the office and they made Settle their home. The couple have been married for 53 years and have two daughters, Linda, who lives in Rishton, and Kathryn, who lives in Wiltshire.

After working for 21 years for the company, Ken decided it was time to go self employed and worked largely around the Craven district as well as around the Forest of Bowland where he had contracts with the Duchy of Lancaster.

"I enjoyed my work and would still be working now if I was able to. I enjoyed meeting all the people I got to know during my working years and made a lot of friends," he said.

He also said he enjoyed his retirement and paid tribute to his family:

"I have two lovely daughters and a wonderful wife. I couldn't wish for anything more. I had a wonderful party and want to thank Linda and Marjorie for organising it and everyone who came to it," he added.

Mr Carr also has three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.