A veteran of both world wars will today celebrate his 108th birthday among friends and family.

Centenarian William Stone, who lived in Watlington for 20 years, had been in intensive care earlier this month — but is now fit enough to begin his 109th year with a slice of cake and a singsong.

Earlier this month, Mr Stone, who served in the Royal Navy between 1918 and 1945, was admitted to hospital after falling ill at a care home in Sindlesham, Berkshire, which he moved to from Oxfordshire last year.

Yesterday, Mr Stone said the secret to his longevity was quite simple: "All you need is clean living, a contented mind and trust in God. My motto has always been 'keep going'."

The tenth of 14 children, Mr Stone was born in Devon on September 23, 1900, to William and Emma Stone.

He joined the Royal Navy aged 18, going to sea in the closing months of the First First World War and served in the fleet until the end of the Second World War.

Mr Stone, who is known as Bill, took part in the evacuation of British troops from Dunkirk in 1940 and was mentioned in dispatches for his work aboard HMS Newfoundland following the invasion of Sicily in 1943.

He is one of only two surviving British veterans to have served in both world wars.

Along with his late wife Lily, who died in 1995, Mr Stone moved to Watlington in the late 1980s and became well known in the town.

Watlington Royal British Legion branch secretary Derek Elliott said: "We all think of him as being indestructible and he has shown that by shaking off this bug. It seems as though he's still keeping everybody on their toes.

"I think most people in Watlington would know him by sight. At the time of the Poppy Appeal, he would stand outside the post office with a collection and talk to many people.

"Around the time of Remembrance Day, we would also take him to Watlington Primary School and Icknield Community College. The pupils loved to see his medals and hear about what he had done.

"He was a very popular man in the town and we wish him all the best for a great day."

Mr Stone's daughter, Anne Davidson, 69, from Beaconsfield, said: "He was taken to hospital with a urinary and chest infection and was there for 12 days, but returned to the care home last Wednesday. He has been very much looking forward to his birthday.

"He's going to have an old-time singalong and a cake, which he will share with residents and staff. He's got a very good singing voice and he loves singing a wide repertoire of old-time songs."

Mrs Davidson will join today's festivities alongside her husband Michael, 72, their son Christopher, 39, and his two-year-old daughter Sophie. Mr Stone's other grandchild, Susie Powell, lives in America with her daughter Annabel, and visited him earlier this year.