ONE of the county’s longest serving churchwardens celebrated his 90th birthday with a present which will allow him to attend the Queen's garden party in style.

Dennis Bluck marked the milestone on Tuesday, April 7 with a special birthday present from friends who joined forces to present him with the use of a people carrier for the day to travel to London in comfort.

Mr Bluck lives in Grafton Flyford with his wife Margaret and their son Alan and his wife Tracie and family at the home where his family has lived for over a century.

He first became the people's warden during the 1960s and has been a churchwarden for 62 years.

Attending the village school, Dennis sang in the neighbouring church's choir from the age of eight and remembers naughty choristers in the days leading up to the Abdication crisis in 1936 singing Hark, the herald angels sing, Mrs Simpson stole our King."

After serving with the Army during the war, Mr Bluck, a carpenter by trade, returned to the village and has worked in most areas of the building industry ever since.

His son Alan followed in his footsteps.

As well as their regular work, the pair have contributed enormously to the well-being of the church and have mended and repaired whenever they have been able.

The family has also helped with fund-raising efforts in the parish and have held garden parties.

Mr Bluck is looking forward to the early summer when he is attending the Queen’s garden party.