An RAF veteran who flew Lancaster Bombers and Spitfires during World War II will turn 103 this weekend - and carers are hoping he will be bombarded with cards on his special day. 

They are asking residents to send a card to Bryan Wardell on his birthday on Saturday, in the hope he will receive 103 - one for each year of his life.

Bryan will be enjoying his party, attended by his son Peter, the mayor and mayoress of Eastleigh Dave and Jean Pragnell and a host of other special guests, at his home of three years, Sunnybank House in Fair Oak.

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Cadets and veterans will form a guard of honour on the lawn, before the party heads indoors for tea, cake and a special message from The King.

It's the culmination of a series of events organised by Sunnybank's senior activities coordinator Paul Burrows-Gibson for Bryan, who still enjoys telling younger generations all about his service in the RAF, especially on the Lancaster Bombers.

Home Admissions Advisor Jessica Wooldridge told the Daily Echo: "Not only has Bryan reached a great age, he's also a wonderful person, so we wanted to do something special to celebrate this milestone and make it really lovely for him.

"He's a very sociable gentleman who loves people, he's really quite remarkable. We're hoping he'll have a great time."

Bryan joined the RAF as an LAC engine fitter and was posted to No 74 Squadron (Spitfires) at Biggin Hill just after the Battle of Britain.

He went on to train as a Flight Engineer and completed an operational tour on No 50 Squadron (Lancasters) at RAF Swinderby.

He then became an instructor on No 7 Heavy Conversion Unit at RAF Waddington.

His final tour was as the Senior Test & Evaluation Air Engineer at Boscombe Down.

Recent birthday celebrations have included a special visit from the Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Air Vice-Marshal Paul Douglas Luker, and a flypast from a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Lancaster Bomber.

Veterans are welcome at Bryan's birthday event, which gets underway at 2pm. Cards can be dropped or posted to Sunnybank House on Botley Road.