HE started out Digging for Victory during World War II and now almost eight decades later he's still going strong.

Ninety four-year-old Gilbert Clark has been praised for his effort raising thousands of pounds for Christian Aid selling his home-grown fruit and vegetables.

He began selling excess fruit and vegetables grown on his allotment in Morningside, Edinburgh, for charity over twenty-five years ago.

A member of St Columba’s-by-the-Castle church for sixty years, Mr Clark has had a regular stall there on Sundays, selling everything from potatoes, carrots and leeks to gooseberries, blackberries and beans all grown on his allotment near Blackford Hill.

Mr Clark, who started his first allotment at the tender age of seventeen, said: “People are so generous. They give me far more than the vegetables are worth. The berries and beans always sell well and my regular’s at St Columba’s always ask what I’ll be selling next”.

When my two children were younger, they used to come to the allotment and help me. Now they’re in their fifties, it’s my grandchildren who come and help. Their favourite things to pick are the beans and the berries”.

The retired agricultural engineer added: “I used to help out with the Christian Aid book sale on George Street every year but it coincided with the time I needed to spend on the allotment so I had to give it up.

"I still take part in St Columba’s carol singing fundraiser though. This event has been going on for over thirty years and still continues today, as do the needs of so many in the world less fortunate than we are”.

Phil Acott, Regional Support Officer for Christian Aid Scotland said: “The lifelong commitment to Christian Aid shown by supporters like Gilbert is truly humbling. That he found another way to support our work when he was no longer able to help out at the George Street sale each May speaks volumes about his continuing energy and enthusiasm.”