A proud war veteran has been taking youngsters at a Bradford school on a trip down memory lane.

Edgar Bottomley – soon to be 90 – stepped into the breach when teachers at Allerton Primary were struggling to find someone to talk to year fives about the Second World War.

Marketing and admissions officer Ruth Bottomley – Mr Bottomley’s granddaughter – had the answer. She said: “I told them: ‘Hang on, I think I might know someone.’ And grandad was happy to do it.”

Mr Bottomley served in the Royal Navy having joined up at the age of 19.

At the school yesterday, he took along his medals for the children to see and gave them a fascinating insight into his experiences of the conflict.

In 1985, Mr Bottomley was awarded the British Empire Medal for services to community and industry, having worked as an engineer in Keighley. “He did a lot of work for apprenticeships,” said Miss Bottomley.

Mr Bottomley lives in Keighley with his wife of 68 years, Kathleen. The couple have one son, Stuart.

The visit provided another first for the pupils. “Many of the children have never met anyone as old as grandad!” said Miss Bottomley.