The Caerphilly-based Tommy Cooper Society has held its annual Tommy’s Birthday Lunch at Coleg y Cymoedd’s Scholars Restaurant in Ystrad Mynach.

Celebrating what would have been the comedian’s 99th birthday, before current social distancing restrictions came into force, enthusiasts from south Wales and the west of England enjoyed a meal prepared and served by students from the college.

During six years of its Tommy’s Ticker campaign, the society has raised funding for and installed 13 heart defibrillators in the Caerphilly area.

Chief guest at the lunch, which was held on Friday, March 13 – the day before the Caerphilly-born magician’s birthday, was Sharon Owen.

The founder and director of charity Welsh Hearts spoke about its work in training, health screening and providing life-saving defibrillators.

It was also announced that plans are underway for a Gala Tommy Cooper Centenary Lunch at Cardiff’s Hilton Hotel on March 19, 2021.

Cooper was born in Caerphilly in 1921 but spent much of his youth living in Devon.

He went on to become one of the UK’s best-known entertainers during the height of his fame.

The much-loved comic died of a heart attack on stage in London in 1984, with many in the audience initially believing it was part of his act.

The Tommy Cooper Society, whose patron is Sir Anthony Hopkins, was founded in the comic’s memory and raised funds for his statue to be erected in Caerphilly town centre.

Once that objective was completed, the society launched its Tommy’s Ticker campaign in 2014 to mark the 30th anniversary of his death. Each defibrillator costs around £1,500.