NORTON personality Cyril Shreeve got a surprise 90th birthday present when he went to meet old colleagues in the Royal Air Force.

For Mr Shreeve – former mayor of Norton and one-time clerk of the town council – was honoured by the Ryedale branch of the RAF Association at its meeting last week at The Old Lodge Hotel in Malton.

Mr Shreeve, president and chairman of the RAFA branch, found himself at the centre of a “This is Your Life” presentation when member Trevor Schofield took on the role of Eamonn Andrews and Michael Aspel to surprise him in front of 60 friends.

Branch secretary John Paul said: “The ruse worked perfectly and Cyril for once was unable to control the meeting as he was treated to a disclosure of his lifetime interest in the RAFA.”

The celebration saw Mr Shreeve and his wife cut a special birthday cake with a sword and the hotel and branch provided the couple with a gift of two nights’ stay.

In addition, the branch heard that £4,000 had been raised towards refurbishing of guest rooms at Rothbury House which provides respite care through the RAFA Benevolent Fund.