THE life of an Alresford man was celebrated by no less than 101 friends and well-wishers when they gathered at his funeral - coincidentally one for each year that he lived.

Les Holder was just weeks away from his 102nd birthday when he died at Royal Hampshire County Hospital, an inquest heard, after he fell at the Old Alresford Cottage Care Home.

Carers were alerted to the incident on March 27 where they saw Mr Holder beneath his walking frame and called emergency services.

He was taken by ambulance to Winchester hospital with a suspected broken leg.

Consultant anaesthetist Dr Rachel Mackenzie told the hearing Mr Holder was sent for surgery during which he suffered an unexpected cardiac arrest.

“He was a very frail gentleman due for major surgery,” she said. “Despite his frailty he was remarkably alert for his age. However, towards the end of surgery his blood pressure dropped suddenly. We took Mr Holder to recovery where he died peacefully.”

Mr Holder was pronounced dead on March 28.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, assistant coroner for central Hampshire, Simon Burge, said: “The operation took place promptly the following day but, unexpectedly, he experienced a cardiac arrest. As a result, sadly, Mr Holder died.”

Speaking after the hearing, his niece Beryl Moody, said there was “a big hole” since Mr Holder's passing.

“He was just such a lovely man,” she said. “He was very popular in the town. He was popular at church, he would go to the butchers, bakers, the bank and the vegetable shop. They would come out and serve him on the street in his mobility scooter. He was just so alert; nothing got passed him. That was the man he was.”