Man, 76, claims Britain's oldest father title

A 76-year-old who believes he is Britain's oldest father said today his virility was down to healthy living.

Dennis Ealam, of Lincoln, Lincolnshire, became a new father in December last year after the birth of his daughter Jessie - two months after he celebrated his 76th birthday.

It is his second child with 36-year-old wife Cora since the arrival of their son, Johnathan, in August 2008.

Mr Ealam came forward with the claim to the title after 74-year-old Gerry Burks, of Louth, earlier this week said he was the nation's oldest father after his 41-year-old wife gave birth to a baby boy.

The two men live just 25 miles apart and both spent their lives working as HGV drivers.

Mr Ealam told the Lincolnshire Echo that his lasting virility was not down to any exceptional lifestyle.

"I've always kept myself fit, I've looked after myself," he told the newspaper.

"I don't have any special diet, but I don't smoke or drink. I used to smoke and drink a lot and had a big stomach on me at one time, but I packed up both in 1984."

His eldest son turns 50 next year and is one of five children from Mr Ealam's previous marriage, as well as six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, the newspaper said.