A LARGS war veteran is leading the fight for the roll-out of vaccinations.

Jack Ransom is recommending people of his age must get the crucial shot sooner rather than later.

Jack turns 101 in April and has been described as 'leading the charge' for the elderly population through his call for the jabs to be rolled out quicker.

The Cumbrae Court pensioner was a prisoner of war in the the Second World War, and survived being starved, weighing only six stone and was forced to eat charcoal in the harshest conditions imaginable.

The centenarian says the jabs could help transform his and many other people's lives - and that he will do whatever he can to apply pressure to quicker the timescales.

Jack added: "I am leading the charge as best I can.

"I gather that around 25 per cent of people over 80 have had the vaccine administered in England, so we need to get it moving in Scotland.

"My birthday is on April 15. I think I can be forgiven for wanting a little knees up at 101.

Jack lives with his 90-year-old wife Maddie, who looks after him and does the shopping.

He said: "I like to get out of the house if it is a nice day but as the words go in the famous musical song of days gone by 'My wife won't let me!' It is a very old song but applicable here as Maddie keeps a firm hand on matters."

Last year's Jack's 100th birthday bash was cancelled due to the coronavirus lockdown.

Jack is the last surviving war veteran who was a prisoner on the infamous Burmese Railway during World War II.

Born originally in Peckham on 15 April, 1920, he spent his youth in Deptford and Greenwich and during the war, and was captured by the Japanese at Singapore in WW2.

Post-war life wasn’t easy as after marrying, Jack became a widower twice however has since found love in Largs with Maddie after they met in the shopping aisle in Morrison's supermarket where love blossomed.

At the age of 90, Jack learned how to master the computer to write his own story of his life and has been using social media to stay connected during these challenging times.

A spokesperson for NHS Ayrshire and Arran said: "We are following the guidance and priority cohorts as set out by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation. The initial programme has delivered vaccinations to our vaccinators, care home residents and care home staff and frontline staff.

"Over 80s living in our communities will be the next group to receive the vaccine. GP practices in Ayrshire and Arran have begun contacting this patient group to schedule appointments for vaccination and will continue this throughout January.

"In addition, information on the national Covid-19 vaccination programme is being delivered to every household this week."