THERE was an unusual end to the service at a Forest church on Sunday with friends and family gathering to celebrate a milestone birthday.

Robert Watkins was a little surprised to find that a celebration for his 90th birthday had been organised to follow the service at Aylburton Methodist Church.

Mr Watkins was for many years one of the organists at Whitecroft Chapel and when it closed in 2004 he joined the congregation at Aylburton.

There were around 45 guests at the party on Sunday which was held a day before Mr Watkins’ actual birthday.

Mr Watkins, who lives in Lydney, said: “It was a very good service but I wasn’t really expecting all this.”

Friends and family were sworn to secrecy about the party which featured a specially-made cake with a keyboard decoration and a large spread made by members of the church and family members.