Alfred, 107, reads again

Alfred Finnegan celebrates his birthday on Thursday

A World War I veteran believed to be the oldest man in Wales will be able to read his telegram from the Queen as he celebrates his 107th birthday.

It was something Alfred Finnegan was unable to do last year, but his sight has now been restored thanks to a successful cataract operation.

Mr Finnegan, of Llanglydwen, near Whitland in Carmarthenshire, was originally told he might have to wait up to six months for surgery.

But, when his plight became known thanks to the BBC, public and media pressure meant Carmarthenshire NHS Trust brought the procedure forward to last October.

If anyone says reading is a waste of time he would argue with them tooth and nail Relative Colin Page

Now Mr Finnegan, who was the lead driver in a six-horse gun team during the 1914-18 war, is able to once again enjoy his favourite hobby of reading.

He celebrates his birthday on Thursday in the home he shares with his niece Kathy Page and her husband Colin.

Mr Page said: "It took a few months for his eye to settle down but now he has new specs and he can read a lot more clearly.

"It's a dramatic improvement."

Mr Finnegan loves nothing more than settling down with a good book.

Mr Page added: "When he was a lad growing up, his father was a great reader so he was used to having books.

"During the war he used to get books sent out to him.

"If anyone says reading is a waste of time, he would argue with them tooth and nail."

Social security in Wales has no record of anyone older than Mr Finnegan in the country.

His birthday celebrations will be low key, although local civic dignitaries are set to pay Mr Finnegan a visit.