'LEGEND' Joe Wardman celebrated his 80th birthday in style - and in the process raised £1,000 for good causes. 

Joe mostly made a name for himself as the owner of the newsagents on Ramsden Street, which he ran for 52 years, 'not including training', until he retired in 2011. 

The Mail: Joe holding old photosJoe holding old photos

He is also chair of the governors for Greengate Junior School and has been involved in the school for 37 years. 

Not content with just being a member of the board, Joe helps out on the playground during break times and cuts the grass. He is so well-liked that every child in the school drew a picture of him to go into an A3-sized book for his birthday.

The Mail: The event included a bouncy castleThe event included a bouncy castle

He also takes care of the bowling green at Salthouse Bowling Club and at Barrow Cricket Club.

Described by the participants as the 'perfect host', Joe's birthday party was held at Barrow Cricket Club. It included a bouncy castle for the children, a bowling match, cricket, music, a performance by Harrison Holmes, and Joe himself dressed as a Scotch Guard and playing a big drum.

The Mail: Punters enjoying fish and chipsPunters enjoying fish and chips

Harrison Holmes rode side by side with Matt Baker in 2021 as he completed The Great Rickshaw Relay Challenge for Children in Need. 

Food included a buffet, cakes, and The Old Smithy provided fish and chips for tea. 

The party went on for most of the day with some people staying until 9pm. 

Joe said: "The day was amazing. The main thing was that all my friends came."

This included customers of the newsagents, people from the school, and the cricket club.

The Mail: Joe with Harrison HolmesJoe with Harrison Holmes

He wanted to raise money for MND and St Mary's Hospice.

"I had a sister-in-law that suffered from MND, she suffered for three years," he said. "Three of my siblings died of cancer. I decided to go for a local charity."

Many things have come and gone in Barrow throughout Joe's life but he said: "I don't think the people of Barrow have changed, they are amazing." 

Joe still to this day provides copies of The Mail to newsagents. Although he had his party over the weekend, Joe's birthday is today (Tuesday).