ONE hundred not out! A driver who was still behind the wheel at 100 has seen off a bid to cancel his driving licence.

Tom Soulby's doctor dropped in on his 100th birthday to give him a card - and try to have his licence taken away.

But Tom, from Wimborne, fought to stay on the road and has been told by the DVLA that he is safe to drive.

"It was the doctor who told me I couldn't drive on my birthday," said Tom.

"He said he didn't agree with people of my age being able to drive but there are certain exceptions and after I heard from the DVLA, we more or less agreed I could.

"He's been a wonderful doctor to me and he was trying to be helpful to me, but I have got very, very bad arthritis and I need to drive into town.

"I have got a clean licence and I very much value that."

Jonathan Davies for the DVLA said: "A driver who can continue to meet the required medical standards for safe driving will be able to retain their licence regardless of age."

And Nigel Charlesworth from motoring organisation Green Flag agreed.

"If you're over 70 you have got to have your licence renewed and you have got to prove that you are a healthy driver," he said.

"Obviously it's down to the individual. They have to be able to prove they can park, control a car well and get advice from their doctor and obviously eyesight is an issue.

"In this case the individual could prove that he was a safe driver.

"For a lot of people the mobility is incredibly important and you're really affecting their quality of life if you take it away."

Tom's own GP declined to comment but West Moors GP Dr Tom McKinstry supported the reinstatement.

"I had one patient who was over 100 who gave up his licence because he had a mini-stroke and he died shortly afterwards. "

He was an excellent driver," he added.

"Giving up his independence affected his quality of life and I have no doubt it contributed to his death."

First published: August 12