INSPIRATIONAL war veteran Bernard Jordan enjoyed a special 90th birthday yesterday.

Bernard received 3,000 cards, which filled the dining room at The Pines Care Home in Hove where he lives with his wife Irene.

The veteran became famous when he made his own way to Normandy for the 70th anniversary of D-Day after the Royal British Legion trip he wanted to go on was booked up.

To celebrate his birthday, The Argus visited Mr Jordan at the care home in Furzehill to present a huge chocolate cake made for him by Choccywoccydoodah.

Mr Jordan said: “It’s been absolutely incredible, obviously it can’t keep going on like this but I’m enjoying it, especially representing other people that were with me."

Debbie McDonald, care home manager, said: “The support has been overwhelming, he’s really enjoying all the attention.

“This is just a quarter of the cards he has received so far and today’s post hasn’t arrived yet. “I think his 91st will be much more of a low-key event.”

Mr. Jordan is currently trying to work his way through all of the cards, which may take him the rest of the week.

He captured the hearts and minds of the nation when he left the care home with his medals hidden under his coat to attend the D-Day anniversary in Normandy.

He was reported missing before a fellow veteran rang back to tell police where he was and that he was fine.

Staff at the care home revealed Mr Jordan is planning another trip to Normandy for next year’s remembrance ceremony, this time accompanied by their staff.

Mr Jordan said: “All the time I’m here I shall keep going.”

Mr Jordan served in the Royal Navy during the Second World War, taking part in Operation Overlord.

Operation Overlord launched the invasion of the Allied Forces in German occupied Western Europe and pushed the Nazi army back to Berlin.

Mr Jordan is also a former Mayor of Hove, serving from 1995-1996 before Brighton and Hove city council became a unitary authority. He has lived at The Pines Care Home with his wife since January 2014.