Bob Weighton, from Hampshire, in the UK, passed away on Thursday morning, his family has announced.

Weighton had become the oldest man in the world following the death of Japan's Chitetsu Watanabe, also aged 112, in February.

A statement released by the family stated: "Bob was an extraordinary man and to the family, not really because of the amazing age he reached. A role model to us all, he lived his life interested in, and engaged with, all kinds of people from across the world."

Born in the northern English city of Hull, on 29 March, 1908, Weighton marked his 112th birthday under lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He celebrated his last birthday behind closed doors because of the lockdown, when he described the "world is in a bit of a mess," according to reporting from PA Media.

The family's statement added: "We are so grateful that until the very end Bob remained our witty, kind, knowledgeable, conversationalist father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and we will miss him greatly."

He is survived by his children David and Dorothy, 10 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.