AS far as guest lists go, it was an eclectic one.

But renowned surgeon, Dr Clifford Brewer, who has turned 100, has led an equally varied and colourful life.

More than 60 people attended his birthday party at the Old House Hotel in Wickham, including his granddaughter, Sky Sports presenter Charlotte Jackson, the Welsh football team manager, Chris Coleman, and Admiral Sir Jeremy Black, who captained the aircraft carrier, HMS Invincible, during the Falklands War.

Charlotte said: “The incredible thing is that he's still fly-fishing and he still lectures us and tells us what we should be doing. He's incredible.”

Chris Coleman, Charlotte's partner, said: “He's an incredible fellow. The first time I met him I could not believe how sharp he was. I wouldn't mind some players with his kind of mentality.”

Dr Brewer volunteered for service in the Second World War and three times his parents were told he was “missing, probably killed”.

He met his wife Marjorie, who passed away in 2000, in Normandy after the D-Day landings. They had five children: two girls and three boys.

His daughter, Chris Jackson, said: “He still drives and he fishes. He has a very active mind too. I hope it does bode well for me!”

After 33 years as a consultant surgeon at the Liverpool Royal Infirmary, he and Marjorie retired to Hampshire in 1978, to be close to their family. Dr Brewer has spent much of his retirement fishing the Rivers Test and Itchen.

He now lives with Chris near Wickham.

Dr Brewer said: “Transportation is the biggest change I've seen in my life: the aeroplane and the motorcar. And communication: the TV and the radio.

“And the NHS used to be very much better organised in the first 20 years of its existence.”

He is in no doubt about the secret to staying fit and healthy: “My advice is keep fishing!” he said.