Bert Hutchison’s relatives feared he wouldn’t even see his 100th birthday because he had been so ill.

But a year on from that magic milestone he has bounced back and is still happily living in Greenock’s Bellaire House.

Little five-month-old Rebeka Bell and the rest of the family were all there to help Bert mark the special day.

Rebeka’s mum Roxanne, Bert’s granddaughter, said: “All the family came over to celebrate his birthday with a birthday cake and sang happy birthday to him.

“He’s been so unwell that when he was 99 I didn’t think he was going to make it to my wedding.

“He was in hospital and we were told he wouldn’t make it through the night.

“They pumped him full of antibiotics and the next day he was sitting up eating ice cream!” Roxanne, 32, added: “He’s exceeded all expectations — he got to the wedding, celebrated his 100th birthday and now he’s 101 and I’m absolutely delighted he’s met Rebeka.

“As soon as I got her out of hospital I was over here to get a picture of them together as there’s 100 years between them.” Bert, who was christened Robert, was born in Greenock before moving to Port Glasgow where he raised four of a family with his late wife Annie.

He lived in Kilmory Terrace in the town for many years.

He served in the Second World War before working in the sugar house refinery but spent most of his working life with Scottish Power laying electricity cables.

His other granddaughter, Deborah McKenzie, 44, says her grandad is remarkable for his age and puts it down to healthy living and good genes.

She said: “His mother lived until she was in her 90s.

“He doesn’t drink or smoke or take salt and he doesn’t eat processed food — only good home cooking.

“He used to dig the roads for a living and was out in all weathers.” Bert was also very active and had a motorbike from the age of 17 right up until he was 80.

He has two other great-grandchildren Beth, 17, and Abbie, 12, and enjoyed a visit from his grandson Jeff Winslow, 33, who is also back home from New York for his mum Ann’s funeral.