A PENSIONER has enjoyed his first proper outing in over a year to his favourite cafe to mark his 94th birthday.
Eric Breese, of Bingley, returned to the Loft Cafe Bar in Bingley's Main Street for his first trip out of his house in 13 months due to the pandemic.
He went back to his favourite haunt for a sausage sandwich and cup of tea in the cafe's outdoor seating area when it reopened on Monday.
Sadie Graves, who runs the cafe alongside her brother John, said it was great to welcome Eric back after so long.
She posted a picture of Eric on the cafe's Facebook and Instagram pages and Eric himself even responded on his own Facebook account, posting: 'Cheeky, Sadie. You didn’t tell me you were going to post my picture worldwide, did you?'
He received birthday wishes on the cafe's Facebook post from as far afield as Australia, as many people messaged to say they could not believe Eric was 94.
Sadie said: "It was fantastic to see Eric again. He used to always come in for for lunch before.
"Eric said it's a shame he couldn't have any birthday cuddles when he came in on Monday.
"He had a great time. He was revelling in the attention. He was full of beans.
"We posted the story on our Facebook and Instagram and he has gone viral. The story has had over 650 likes on social media.
"Eric is even on Facebook himself and left a comment on our story.
"He has not been able to get out anywhere during the last year or so.
"We can't believe he is 94 either, I want to know what his secret is."
Meanwhile, Eric's son Richard and his wife Janet have helped provide a 'lifeline' service to keep the cafe going over the last 12 months.
The pandemic has meant the cafe has been closed for much of this past year, but the couple stepped in to help the cafe, which initially opened in 2010, fulfil its deliveries.
Sadie added: "They have made deliveries for us each week, which have been instrumental in us surviving during that time.
"They were more than happy to help us. The delivery service is what sustained us.
"We were really keen to recognise what they have done for us and have offered them a lifetime of hot drinks as a thank you.
"It was fabulous to be back open on Monday. We had a sleepless night on the Sunday before we opened.
"We have had some really positive feedback from customers, who are glad we have reopened."
The cafe is open to outdoor dining only initially due to the restrictions and is open from Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 4pm; Saturday 9am to 4pm and Sunday from 10am to 2pm.
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