EVERY Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Doug Campbell’s morning begins with a stroll to fetch a paper, then it’s off to the leisure centre to swim 20 lengths.

On the days when he’s not taking to the water, he’s out on the golf course.

The widower’s dedication to his active lifestyle would be enviable to many of us. When you consider that Doug has just turned the ripe old age of 90, envy turns to admiration.

And it was this admiration which was evident in the faces of friends from Dalton Leisure Centre who surprised him with a celebration this week.

“I wasn’t expecting this at all”, said the the visibly choked nonagenarian as he was presented with a cake at the centre's cafe.

Doug, of Newton Road, Dalton has been attending the centre three times a week since retiring from his role as an estimator at Vickers in 1990, having moved to the area in 1973.

His love of swimming began in the canals of his native Merseyside.

Doug said: “I’ve always loved swimming. I’ve done it ever since I was a young boy.

“I come here for the social side too, I have made a lot of friends here over the years.”

Even though he does more exercise than most people half his age, the 60 lengths a week is Doug ‘slowing down’. Up until the age of 83, he swam a length for every year of his life.

He puts his longevity down to always listening to his body.

“I came home from doing those and I felt dizzy, so I knew it was my body saying 'you’re getting old, this is too much',” said the great-grandfather.

“I’ve never thought of stopping. I’ve always done it. I used to be a cyclist too.

“I’d recommend swimming to anyone. You’re never too old to start exercising.”

On top of being an inspiration in the pool, Doug, who lost wife Patricia four years ago, is a Dalton community stalwart. He has spent decades dedicating much of his spare time to volunteer at St Mary’s Church in Market Place.

He has one son, grandchildren and great-grandchildren living in Merseyside, who he still drives to visit regularly.

The party was the idea of Steve Burden, a Dalton Leisure Centre director who gives Doug a lift now that he struggles a little more on his feet.

Steve said: “He is such a lovely man and very well-liked here. He does a lot for the church and his house is immaculate.

“I only started giving him a lift a couple of years ago when he was getting breathless going up Cemetery Hill in Dalton - but I think even the healthiest of us do.

“I think we all hope we’ll still be like that when we reach that age.”