A KENDAL man believes he may be the oldest person alive to have been born at Helme Chase.

Peter Carlos was born at the maternity hospital on the Coronation Day of George VI, in 1937, and was presented with a special engraved cup to commemorate the occasion.

There was one other baby born on that day, however he moved to America and has since died.

Mr Carlos said: "There was only two of us, and I got a card every year from the other one until he moved away. Later we learned that he died in his 40s.

"So my cup is the only one left in Kendal. I treasure it. I never let it out of my sight!"

Two weeks ago The Westmorland Gazette reported that Helm Chase was celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and asked readers - those born in 1968 - to share their stories.

Mr Carlos has spent his life in Kendal, where he worked at many jobs while following his passion for football.

His first job was at the Gawith tobacco factory before moving to Kendal Co-op and Youdell's Wine Merchants.

He played for a number of top Westmorland League teams, including Bowness Rovers, Kendal United, Milnthorpe Corinthians and Garstang between 1952 to 1967.

"Football was always my main love," said Mr Carlos. "Especially the amateur cup. I won quite a few trophies playing centre forward and played for Westmorland County.

"I can still play football. People have no idea of my age when they see me! I'm not doing too bad for my age.

"The best moment for me was playing with Tom Finney. He came up to Milnthorpe to turn on the floodlights, which were the first of their kind in the league. He brought up a team to play against us. That was a big experience for me."

Mr Carlos married his wife Joan, also from Kendal on March 30, 1957. They are soon to celebrate their 62nd wedding anniversary.

The couple have three children, five grandchildren and one great grandchild.

One of the grandchildren, Bailey Carlos, has kept up his grandfather's passion for football and plays for Kendal County.

L Were you born at Helme Chase Maternity Hospital in 1968? Send a photograph of yourself as a baby and as you are now to mike.addison@nqnw.co.uk. Please include some details of your life and any comments about the former maternity hospital.