ALTON centenarian Bob Weighton celebrated his 109th birthday yesterday with a family lunch party and national television and press coverage – not only because he is the oldest man in England but because it was the day Theresa May signed Article 50 to trigger the UK’s exit from the European Union.

“Although she didn’t ring me to see what my reaction would be!” he quipped.

Somewhat “irked” at the timing, while well aware that being part of the EU has its advantages and disadvantages, Mr Weighton feels quitting was a “mistake”.

The former teacher and lecturer, who is originally from Hull, has travelled and worked around the world, in places as far flung as Taiwan and Canada, and describes himself as “very internationally-minded”.

He has 10 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren “scattered around Europe”, including Germany.

A firm remainer, Mr Weighton finds the Brexit coverage “upsetting”.

“Everything is in the melting pot,” he said.

“You can’t just walk away and expect it not to have any repercussions. It’s not like resigning from a golf club – it’s more like a divorce, with all of the heartache and recriminations that follow.

“However, you have to live with the way things are not the way you would like them to be.”

Having lived a “varied life” – well documented in Alton where he continues to amaze folk with his life story and his continuing perceptive take on national and international affairs, the centenarian views age as “just a number”.

As the oldest man in England, Mr Weighton shares the title of Britain’s oldest man with Alf Smith, who lives in Perth, Scotland, who was born on the same day in 1908.