EXPERIENCED driver Matthew Laffan has clocked up an amazing 72 years behind the wheel.

And yesterday the Bradford charity worker was given a surprise 90th birthday party at the centre where he works four days a week as a voluntary driver.

For almost two years Mr Laffan has been volunteering as the collections and delivery van driver for the New 4U Community Charity shop in Buttershaw.

He is credited with helping younger volunteers to build their confidence and gain employment.

Community development worker Tom Hughes said: "Matthew has a friendly, warm and light-hearted personality and, as part of New 4U, he works with younger volunteers who are gaining their first experiences in the world of work.

"He creates a supportive, encouraging environment with everyone he works with and is much loved by staff, volunteers and customers alike."

Staff yesterday thanked him for his hard work by throwing a party at the Sandale community centre in Woodside.

Andy Walsh, operations manager for Sandale Community Development Trust, said: "He is a positive role model for the young people who see him turn up in his shirt and tie every day, as regular as clockwork.

"A lot of the young people respect what he says and look up to him as he has a lot of life experience."

Mr Laffan, who was born in Ireland and came to Bradford in 1951, said volunteering was the best thing he had ever done.

"I absolutely love it. It has brought me back to life after my wife (Maureen) passed away three-and-a-half years ago."

Mr Laffan, who lives at Woodside, recalled the day he got his driving licence.

"It cost me 10 shillings from the Post Office. I was 18 years old."

He's more than used to hard work after getting his first job, working with a gardener, at the tender age of 12.

After leaving school at 14 Mr Laffan has worked on a farm, as a taxi driver and a hearse driver, not to mention a decade with the gas board and many years as a HGV driver and a welder.

He retired as a Bradford taxi driver at the age of 82, having worked for 11 different firms.

"I have had a varied life - it has been interesting. My Dad was three months off 100 when he died. I come from a family of long-lived people."

Young people who work Mr Laffan said he was fun to be around.

Alisha Hodgson, 16, who is on a work placement at the shop in Buttershaw, said: "He's funny, hilarious and sweet."