Britain's oldest dad, 74, credits bananas for his virility

London, Mar 29 (ANI): A man, who has become Britain's oldest dad at 74 after his wife gave birth to a son, says that his passion for bananas keeps him virile.

Gerry Burks, a former HGV driver, who will turn 75 on March 30, had 5lb 7oz son Ryan with wife Dawn, 41, on March 12 in Louth, Lincs.

He puts his astonishing virility down to a diet packed with his favourite fruit - plus his enduring love for Dawn, who is nearly 35 years his junior.

"I eat lots of bananas and always have done - sometimes a couple a day. I don't eat much salt and have home-cooked food," the Sun quoted Gerry, who worked until he was 71, as saying.

"Maybe that's what's kept my body healthy. But I think the love of a good woman, my Dawn, has a lot to do with it, too. I'm just doing what comes naturally.

"I'm so proud. I feel like the luckiest man alive.

"I am very proud and I think it's wonderful. Baby Ryan just has to make a little sound and I'm over there making sure he's all right.

"He isn't up much through the night and Dawn gets up to feed him. I'll ask her if there's anything I can do to help, but she'll tell me to go back to sleep.

"People might say things about my age, but I look after myself.

"I'm young at heart, don't drink or smoke now, and Dawn loves cooking. Her pasta bake keeps me in good shape.

"I packed all the bad things up in the mid-1980s when my first marriage broke down," he said.

The adoring couple already had one son together, six-year-old Daniel, when baby Ryan arrived by Caesarean.

He weighed 5lb 7oz and suffered breathing difficulties, so medics kept him in their special care baby unit until he stabilised.

Now he is healthy and living at home with his parents and brother Daniel. (ANI)