One of Binfield's oldest residents has turned 102 today.

Sergeant Major Leonard 'Len' Burritt, a 'Desert Rat' who fought in north Africa during the Second World War has celebrated his 102th birthday in Binfield.

Celebrations looked a little different toady with Beech House care home staff wearing Covid-19 masks.

READ MORE: 'Dog snatchers' reportedly spotted after woman sees van with 'cages' inside

Sgt Maj Burritt, who used to live in Haddenhurst Court, in Terrace Road South, celebrated his big birthday today with a massive chocolate cake tea party with other residents' at the care home.

Bracknell News:

Due to coronavirus restrictions, family are not able to attend but Len managed to celebrate with staff and residents in the garden.

His daughter Rosemary Wood was able to watch him blow the candles and say 'Happy Birthday' through video link.

She said: "My father is an amazing man who still has many memories of his time spent in the desert in WW2, the D-Day landings in Normandy in 1944 and his life as an estate manager near Maidenhead, when he was responsible for a famous herd of award winning Jersey cows.

"He is living history and we are so proud of him! Hopefully next year we will be able to celebrate his 103rd birthday with him in person and with no threat of Covid 19 to spoil things.

READ MORE: Major police incident as two men stabbed in Bracknell

"Thank goodness for modern technology which enables us to see him via a video link."

After a agricultural upbringing, Sgt Maj Burritt joined the army in 1936. After his training, he moved to E company wireless operating training where he learned to send Morse code, and passed his driving test on a six-wheeled three-tonne lorry and a motorcycle.

In 1938 he was despatched to the Egypt where he was stationed for five years with the Egypt Mobile Desert Division, later renamed to the 7th Armoured Division, and nicknamed the Desert Rats.

During his time with the battalion, he was detailed to the Middle East and across northern Africa, and when war broke out in 1939, he was ordered to remain in the desert until Tunisia was captured in 1943.

Sgt Maj Burritt was active for more than 100 battles in 15 different countries on or near the front line, including the Battle for El Alamein in October 1942, the turning point in the north Africa campaign.

He finally returned to the UK in 1944, having not seen his family for seven years, and married his childhood sweetheart Connie in April 1944. The couple had to bring their wedding forward as Sgt Maj Burritt was due to take part in the D-Day landings on June 6. As a communications operative, it was his duty to supply intelligence to the troops who had landed before him, and was responsible for the smooth disembarkment for the convoy of vehicles.

He left the army in 1946, and returned to a farming life, winning countless prizes with Jersey cattle and pigs at various agricultural shows until he retired in 1983.

He went on to have two children, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren before Connie passed away in 2007, aged 89.