ALTON resident Bob Weighton is now the oldest known living man in the world.

Mr Weighton, 111, was previously the oldest man in Britain.

However, Chitetsu Watanabe, of Joetsu City, Niigata, in Japan died on Sunday at the ripe old age of 112, giving Mr Weighton the top spot.

Mr Watanabe had been certified as a Guinness World Record holder and it is thought Mr Weighton will now receive similar honours.

The oldest known living woman is Kane Tanaka of Japan, aged 117 years.

See Thursday’s Herald for more.