Britain's oldest man dies at 109

Britain's oldest man has died in hospital aged 109.

Vinson Gulliver, who earned a place in the Guinness Book of Records, died peacefully of "old age", his only daughter, Doreen Jackson, said.

The former train driver - who was born one of 13 children in November 1887, when Queen Victoria was celebrating her golden jubilee - remained alert almost until his death at 8pm on Tuesday in the Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester.

"He'd enjoyed his life but he said he was quite ready to go and in the end he just drifted off," said 66-year-old Mrs Jackson.

A Guinness Book of Records spokesman said the title of Britain's oldest living man was now open. "We are looking at a number of candidates aged around 107 but we will not know until all their documentation has been checked," he said.

Lucy Askew of Buckhurst Hill, Essex is Britain's oldest living person. She is due to celebrate her 114th birthday in September.

Mr Gulliver's death follows the death on Monday of the oldest person in the world, Frenchwoman Jeanne Calment, who was aged 122 years and 153 days.