Michael Klanga died aged 108 on July 2

Michael Klanga, born on New Year's Day in 1907, was admitted to North Middlesex University Hospital on Tuesday with breathing problems and died two days later on July 2, aged 108. 

According to the website, Oldest in Britain, it is believed the former Sinclair Road resident in Chingford was the sixth oldest man in Britain and second oldest in London.

The survivor of two World Wars and youngest of 12 siblings moved to London from the small town of Analyonda in Nicosia in 1956, with his late-wife Maritsa and their seven children. 

In 1962, at the age of 55, he opened MC Klanga delicatessen in Camden Road, which he continued to run until he retired in his 80s. 

The family moved to Chingford in the 1980s, and the property is still owned by the family. 

Until 2010, Mr Klanga lived on his own with routine visits from his family but moved to Anastasia Lodge care home in Enfield at the age of 103.  

Mr Klanga at his birthday party in 2014 

In November, he featured alongside eight other centenarians in a photo shoot by world-famous photographer David Bailey for the Observer newspaper.

And up until a year ago, Mr Klanga enjoyed his guilty pleasure of drinking red wine with every meal - a reason his family says why he has lived for so long. 

His son Kostas Michael, 77, of Kimberley Road, Chingford, said: "We are sad to lose our father and he will be sorely missed by all that knew him here and in Cyprus. 

"He survived an operation after being diagnosed with bowel cancer at 82, and had not been ill since. 

"He was happy and very active until a few years ago.

"At 103, he used to climb up trees to cut down branches. 

"He lived to a remarkable age and was definitely the oldest living Cypriot in London, if not in Britain."

He is survived by seven children, 17 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.