He was born at a time when having Down's Syndrome carried a life expectancy of just 12 years.

But 76 years later, Kenny Cridge blew the candles out on his birthday cake in a care home. 

Mr Cridge - officially the world's oldest living man with Down's Syndrome - was left for dead at birth by doctors who thought he was stillborn when he arrived alongside twin sister Dorothy in 1940.

In the 1940s, people with the condition were not expected to reach their teens.

But Mr Cridge has outlived his sister and brother thanks to the love and care of family and friends.

Mr Cridge was given the title in 2008 by Guinness World Records who presented him with a certificate.

Eight years on, he is still going strong at the Wisteria House care home near Yeovil, Somerset, where staff describe him as a 'true gent' and 'absolute darling'.

Proud niece Marie Shotton, 45, said: 'Now people with Down's Syndrome are treated equally and respected, but my nan said that back in the day it wasn't like that.

'She fought a lot of battles for him and really devoted her life to Kenny.

'His father Samuel, who adored him as his little boy, had a bike with a side car, and Kenny used to drive around in it to go to the local pubs.

'He's marvellous and people in the village where he grew up still ask about him.'

When Mr Cridge was born on February 15 his mother Iris had no idea she was carrying twins and only realised when daughter Dorothy was born moments after him.

Doctors initially thought he was stillborn and set him to one side to look after his sister but after he began to show signs of life they resuscitated him.

Ms Shotton, from Bruton, Somerset, added: 'When they were babies they were kept back to back in a cardboard box with cotton wool.'

He lived with his mother in Hinton St George, Somerset, until she passed away in her 90s.

He then moved in with nephew Kevin Griffiths before arriving at the care home three years ago.

Staff said he still enjoys playing his harmonica, eating sweet treats and joking with fellow residents.