A man whose working life took him from serving in the Metropolitan Police and RAF to running a pub and later a bed and breakfast has died weeks after his 100th birthday.

Albert George Benest, also known as Ben, of Cockermouth, turned 100 on September 20, on the same day as is great-granddaughter Charlotte was christened.

He died on October 19 at Kirklands Care Home, where he had lived since January.

Born in London, Mr Benest left school at 15 and became a solicitor's clerk but found the work boring.

At 20 he joined the Metropolitan Police and later gained a secondment to Special Branch.

He married Ethel Gamble in 1940 and their daughter Adrienne was born in 1942.

When World War Two broke out Mr Benest was not allowed to join the forces, being part of a reserved occupation, but in 1942 a limited number of police officers were permitted to volunteer for the RAF.

He qualified in February 1944 and was posted to Bomber Command, joining 75 New Zealand Squadron to fly with Wellingtons and then Lancasters.

In July 1944, he had a lucky escape when the crew he had been with for only three days took their Wellington for a test flight.

A navigator was not needed for the flight so Mr Benest went for a sleep and an air cadet went for a ride instead.

During the flight, the plane's wing broke off and the plane crashed, killing everyone on board.

Mr Benest flew in 16 raids over Germany. At the end of the war he flew flood to Holland and helped to bring home prisoners of war.

He described it as the most exciting time of his life.

After the war Mr Benest was seconded to Military Government in Europe, ending up in Hagen where his family joined him.

By the time he returned to the police Mr Benest's eyesight had deteriorated and he was discharged from the force as glasses were not permitted.

On their return from Germany in 1948 the family settled in Southampton and Mr Benest worked in the Ministry of Food as an inspector.

Son Terry was born in 1950 and two years later Mr and Mrs Benest took over the tenancy of a 17th century coaching inn in Farnham, Surrey.

Running the pub without any staff, there was little time for family holidays and other time off but they made the most of their time with the children.

Mr Benest loved sea angling and organised a pub fishing club, leading trips to the south coast to fish in the English Channel.

His son said: "He was very supportive. The pub got in the way of doing an awful lot but he was very keen on nature and we used to go for walks.

"He had an older Napier Railton saloon car with a soft top. I can remember us all going along in that and getting really excited because we were going to exceed 60mph."

Having worked hard and saved for their future, the couple retired in 1972 when Mr Benest was 57.

They settled in Ullapool, Scotland, and operated their home as a bed and breakfast until 1996.

Mr Benest became secretary of the local angling club and arranged the annual Ullapool International Sea-Fishing Festival for a few years.

When Mrs Benest became ill he cared for her and remained independent after her death in 2006.

In early 2010 he moved to Cockermouth to live near his son.

He enjoyed trips out with Terry and maintained a love of nature and the outdoors he had had throughout his life.

In January, he moved to Kirklands Care Home.

Reaching 100 was a target for Mr Benest and, after initially saying he did not want a fuss, he enjoyed the family celebration that marked the day in September.

He particularly enjoyed spending time with his four great-grandchildren and even got down onto the floor to play with them when nobody was looking, although he struggled to get back up.

In the weeks that followed Mr Benest's health deteriorated rapidly and he died on October 19.

He is survived by daughter Adrienne and her husband Ken, son Terry and his wife Beverley, granddaughters Eilidh and Sarah and great-grandchildren Joseph, Seren, Jamie and Charlotte.

His funeral was held at Distington crematorium last Thursday , October 29,  and was attended by family, family friends and care home staff.

Donations in his memory can be made to a sensory garden fund at Kirklands Care Home, c/o Nelson Chicken, 39 Kirkgate, Cockermouth.