A dedicated octogenarian has been a volunteer driver for 25 years and is showing no signs of slowing down.

John Whicker, 85, started working with Thanet Volunteer Bureau after he was made redundant at the age of 60.

He gets behind the wheel every day while making friends and meeting people as he clocks up the miles taking people to GP, dental and hospital appointments.

Mr Whicker said: "It stops me sitting indoors and it keeps me active.

"I take somebody somewhere every day. I don't feel 85, I feel 65. It keeps me young."

He took time out after he had a stroke in 2002 but went straight back to driving as soon as he was well enough.

'It was marvellous. I didn't know they'd do all that. I thought it was a drivers' meeting but it was like a second birthday' - John Whicker

"It was terrible sitting at home alone," he added.

To mark the milestone bureau staff held a buffet at The Racing Greyhound, Hereson Road, in Dumpton Park.

He added: "It was marvellous. I didn't know they'd do all that. I thought it was a drivers' meeting but it was like a second birthday."

He was presented with a Thanet Volunteer Bureau long-service certificate by the Mayor of Ramsgate, Cllr Trevor Shonk.

Mr Whicker who is a grandfather served as a wireless operator in the Royal Artillery between 1950 and 1952 as well as giving up his spare time to be an instructor in signalling and communications in the Territorial Army for 11 years.

He worked in the metal industry as a lorry driver and moved to the Newington area of Ramsgate from London with his family in the 1960s.