A Second World War Air Force squadron leader has celebrated turning 100.

James Cox, who has lived in Epping Forest for 70 years, celebrated his centenary with a party alongside 60 friends and family members at Woodland Grove Care Home in Rectory Lane, Loughton, on Friday.

Mr Cox spent seven years during the Second World War working as a Royal Air Force squadron leader in France, Scotland and Canada, which he describes as "the best years of his life".

After the war he moved to Canada where he opened an air cadets training school and met his wife, Beatrice.

In 1945 the couple moved to England and spent their lives living in Woodford, Loughton and Epping where they had two children, Susan and Ralph.

Daughter Susan Robinson said: "dad is a true Londoner.

"He is very cheerful man who describes his time working as a squadron leader as the best years of his life.

"His 100th birthday was lovely, he had a very good time.

"Hundreds of years worth of friends and families of friends came along so he was surrounded by old faces, it was lovely."