A WAR veteran who celebrated turning 100-years-old has defied the odds by beating coronavirus.

Thomas Twort who is living in celebrated his 100 birthday on Friday, July at his care home Signature Senior Lifestyle Ascot Grange.

Before his birthday, Thomas tested positive for Covid-19 but said he didn't even realise he had it and displayed no symptoms.

ALSO READ: Bracknell's ice rink and ski slope closes permanently with all staff losing their jobs

After beating the odds, Thomas turned 100 and received a special letter from Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead Mayor Sayonara Luxton, congratulating him on his special day.

The grandfather of four moved to Ascot last year and lives close to his daughter who lives in Sunningdale.

Thomas said: "We haven't been able to see each other during lockdown but we video called often to stay in touch otherwise it can be very lonely by yourself."

ALSO READ: Top 10 rated GP surgeries in Bracknell - as voted by YOU

His family also visited for a social distancing visit for his birthday.

As we spoke to Thomas via video call, the loving grandfather shared anecdotes of his time serving in World War II and how he was captured by the Nazis.

He said: "I grew up in Croydon and went to a technical college where I became a draftsman.

READ MORE: 'It's a massive loss to all our family within the Hive' – Bracknell Bees bid to find new home

"My family were poor so we ate lots of vegetables and walked everywhere to save money on the bus. Perhaps that is why I have lives so long but I think I am just lucky! I also take part in the programmed exercise, or what I like to call the gym, where there is four to five of us and we do some chair exercises with our arms."

Mr Twort explained how he had to work on the farms when him and his troops were captured in Greece by the German soldiers.

He said: "The island was occupied by the Turks and fighting continued. After two weeks we were picked up by Nazis and some of us were taken to Austria, Belgrade to work on farms.

"We were fighting for 20 minutes and then found ourselves talking to German Bundeswehr and exchanging cigarettes. Some would have had terrible memories but I didn't have terrible times.

"It was strange but it was funny talking to them in broken English."