A grandfather-of-three blew out candles on his 100th birthday cake surrounded by friends and family from around the world.

Gunter Susskind enjoyed a special tea party with more than 75 guests at Hendon Reform Synagogue in Danescroft Avenue yesterday.

Mr Susskind said: “It was very nice to have everyone together. We had tea, cake and speeches and I received a card from the Queen. It was very good.”

Mr Susskind was born in Germany, but fled to Kenya to work in farming before the outbreak of the Second World War.

He lived in Kenya for 25 years, and there met and married his wife Ellen-Ruth, who was also born in Germany.

The pair moved to Hendon in 1962, and have lived happily there ever since.

Mr Susskind, who has been collecting stamps since he was a young boy, found work at an insurance brokers in the West End until he retired in 1988.

Mr and Mrs Susskind have two children, Clare Savinson, 52, and Carol De Rosa, 54, and three grandchildren. They were joined at yesterday’s birthday celebrations by guests from as far afield as Canada, Australia and Israel.

Explaining his secret to living a long, healthy life, Mr Susskind said: “It’s all about having a good foundation, healthy living and no smoking and no excessive drinking. I’ve also always enjoyed regular meals, never missing breakfast before work. I think that is the secret.”