STOURBRIDGE'S last clippy Gerry Byrne celebrates his 100th birthday today (October 5th).

Originally from Knockainey in County Limerick, Gerry came to Stourbridge in 1943 and worked in a reserved occupation before joining Midland Red in 1948 as a bus conductor where he remained until 1979.

When he retired he was the last serving bus conductor and was the guest of honour at the opening of the Stourbridge Interchange in 2012.

Gerry later went on to work at Mecca Bingo on Hagley Road where he worked until he retired aged 74.

Gerry lived in Market Street when first arriving in Stourbridge and moved to St George's Road in Norton in 1952 where he has remained ever since.

He married Dorothy Behan in 1947 and they went on to have eight children.

Eldest son Peter recalled: "We didn't see a great deal of dad at home because of the long hours and split shifts but he'd often be our conductor as we journeyed to and fro.

"And even on his annual leave he'd end up doing gardening jobs."

Gerry added: "I can remember working on the bus to Wolverhampton one day when one of the drivers got on, he hadn't got any money on him, so I said, that's alright, go upstairs.

As luck would have it, an inspector then got on the bus. I had to tell him there was a passenger upstairs without a ticket because he'd got no money and I didn't want to leave him standing at the bus stop.

"The inspector told me to take his name and address and that he was to pay the money for his fare the next time he was passing the bus station. You wouldn't get that happening now."

Gerry still maintains his great passion for horse racing and follows it avidly, his own father having worked at a stud farm back in Knockainey.

A special mass is being held at Our Lady and All Saints Church, New Road, Stourbridge at 7pm tonight followed by a birthday party for family and friends from around the world at Stourbridge Institute on October 7th.

Peter said: "There are so many people we could have invited to Gerry's party but there simply wasn't enough room as most guests are family.

"We're having the mass so people can come along and say hello. Anyone who knows dad is welcome to come along."

Apart from eight children, Gerry also has 11 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

It promises to be quite a party!