The first baby born by Caesarean section at Keighley's Victoria Hospital wasn't expected to survive but on Sunday he celebrated his 80th birthday with champagne and chips.

Charles Clarkson, of Silsden, weighed just 3lb when he was born on August 25, 1922, the fourth son of Sam and Elizabeth Clarkson, then of Tufton Street.

On Sunday he was picked up with his wife Doris from their Bradley Road, Silsden, home in a white 1929 Rolls-Royce for a surprise celebration.

The vintage transport was all part of the surprise for Mr Clarkson, which was organised by his daughter, Margaret, and his son, David.

The couple arrived at Silsden Conservative Club where they were greeted by friends and family waving flags and balloons.

Mr Clarkson's favourite food has always been fish and chips and Steeton Fisheries opened especially for the day to deliver 60 lots of fish, chips and mushy peas, free of charge.

Place mats were made from laminated photo-copies of the Keighley News.

There were also copies of the Clarkson family tree dating back to Jonus Clarkson -- a shoemaker who was born in Silsden in 1695.

Charles, a former despatch clerk at the Silsden cotton firm of Hill, Benson and Bailey, has earned a reputation as an entertainer.

He was a well-known bass baritone singer and comedian and has been a member of many committees and organisations, including Keighley Playhouse, chairman of Silsden Conservative Club and secretary of the horticultural committee.

He is still a member of the Friends of Airedale Hospital, collecting patients from the wards and then entertaining them in the "bar social".

His daughter Margaret Simpson said: "Charlie, as he is most notably known, is always cheerful, always willing, always there, always has a joke to tell you and always puts a smile on your face.

"His motto has always been laughter is the best medicine."