A SECOND World War veteran and former mayor of a Flintshire town has celebrated his 100th birthday. 

John Thornton turned 100 over the weekend - and was treated to a surprise party on Tuesday afternoon.

John, who three times served as mayor of Buckley, spent 54 years as a councillor in the town. 

At Jubilee Court Community Centre - the extension to which he had built when serving as mayor - dozens of residents turned out for the celebration.

The Royal Buckley Town Band supplied music for the occasion, and guests were treated to afternoon tea. 

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John served in the RAF for six years - joining during the Second World War in 1941 when he was aged 18. He is a veteran of the Burma campaign in southeast Asia and spent time as a Japanese prisoner of war. 

Talking about his experiences during the War, John said: "I was with the Wellington Bombers' ground crew. The biggest shock was when I was 18, I went from Liverpool on the troop ships to the far east. Ships around me were being torpedoed by the Germans - that was terrifying. 

"When we got to the frontline, I was attached to Orde Wingate's core in Burma - he went deep behind enemy lines and I was in radio contact with him. 

"It was horrible, really, and all very frightening, but we just did it."

The Leader: John with a photograph of him in his RAF days. John with a photograph of him in his RAF days. (Image: Newsquest)

Talking about turning 100, John said: "My late wife and mum both died at 99, so I made sure I stayed up until gone midnight. When the clock turned to midnight I did a fist pump in the air."

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Amazingly, John is currently in the process of decorating his daughter, Vanessa's, bathroom. 

She said: "I live next door to him, and he's been painting all the fences in the garden. We just have to be a bit careful as he is inclined to do things he shouldn't at his age. But he's showing no signs of slowing down."

Every Tuesday, John attends the indoor bowling sessions inside the community centre. 

John said: "I absolutely love Buckley. I've lived here for the last 63 years. 

"I want to thank the community centre's committee for putting on this wonderful event, and I'm very thankful that many of my friends are here."

One of John's proudest aspects of his time as mayor was the extension to the Jubilee Court community centre which he had built. 

"It's made a big difference, it's a vital community space for people who are elderly. 

"We have parties, we play bingo and most importantly we all get together."

The Leader: Past and present: John Thornton pictured with current Buckley mayor, cllr Charles Cordery. Past and present: John Thornton pictured with current Buckley mayor, cllr Charles Cordery. (Image: Newsquest)

Mark Kirk, who's on the Jubilee Court community centre's committee, chiefly organised the event and said: "John cares passionately about his community and has dedicated most of his life to serving the people of not just Buckley, but Flintshire as a whole. 

"For 54 years, John was a councillor for Buckley, and was mayor three times. He was also chairman of the former Alyn & Deeside Council and of course chairman of the Jubilee Court Senior Citizens' Association. 

"What an achievement and John is loved and respected by the people of Buckley. And we thank John from the bottom of our hearts for all he's done."

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