"I've moved three times in my life and never more than a mile away."

That is the proud boast of Walter Flaxman, who is celebrating his 100th birthday on Friday.

Mr Flaxman - affectionately known as Wally - was born in Back Lane, Burgh Castle, near Great Yarmouth, on February 3, 1923.

At the age of 15, Mr Flaxman moved to Butt Lane before settling into his own family home further down the road 70 years ago.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Walter Flaxman (left) on the day of his retirement from the Blue Bus depot on Caister Road, 1988.Walter Flaxman (left) on the day of his retirement from the Blue Bus depot on Caister Road, 1988. (Image: Flaxman family)

"Burgh Castle means the world to me," he said.

"It's where I was born, where I met my wife and even where I had my first drink."

At the age of 14, Mr Flaxman was treated to a bottle of brown ale at the nearby Queen's Head.

Mr Flaxman served in the army during the Second World War where he saw action in North Africa and Italy.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Walter Flaxman (second from right, top) with fellow comrades in arms.Walter Flaxman (second from right, top) with fellow comrades in arms. (Image: Flaxman family)

He said: "No matter where I went, I was reminded of Burgh Castle. When I was off-duty in Rome, I came out of a picture house and saw a friend from the village."

From 1949, Mr Flaxman worked at Jewson's timber yard on Bridge Road. At first, he was in charge of pigs - an old company tradition for any special get-togethers with the director.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Jewson's timber yard on Bridge Road in the early 1960s.Jewson's timber yard on Bridge Road in the early 1960s. (Image: Archant)

However, that tradition ended following the floods of 1953.

Mr Flaxman recalls his shifts on the days following January 31, 1953: "Everything went haywire.

"When I got to Station Road on the Sunday morning, the water was up to my thighs."

Later, Mr Flaxman became a mechanic at the yard, before taking on a similar role at the Blue Bus Depot (now run by First Eastern Counties) on Caister Road, until he retired in 1988.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Inside Great Yarmouth bus depot, 1973.Inside Great Yarmouth bus depot, 1973. (Image: Newsquest)

"No matter the job, I always said yes," he said.

"Having a positive approach has kept me in good health.

"I quit smoking after a heart attack in 1978, but I kept eating well and even went to the pub.

"I've had a good life and I have really enjoyed it. I still do."

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Walter Flaxman (centre) with son-in-law Raymond Stone and daughter Sue Stone.Walter Flaxman (centre) with son-in-law Raymond Stone and daughter Sue Stone. (Image: James Weeds)

Mr Flaxman was part of Burgh Castle's community council and was an odd job man at Blue Sky until the age of 96, the same year he stopped driving.

Mr Flaxman and his family will be holding a birthday party at the Queen's Head on Saturday afternoon.