Tailors make bespoke present for Captain Tom from Bedford

Captain Tom Moore’s tailors, Souster & Hicks, have gifted the hero with new bespoke regimental blazer and trousers.

Not only was it to coincide with his 100th birthday celebrations, but also as a fitting tribute for the war veteran’s VE day celebrations this week.

The heroic war veteran from Marston Moretaine raised more than £32million for the NHS, provided a beacon of hope for the world at such a dark time and is now a Guinness World record holder for the oldest person to have a number one single.

Souster & Hicks, a family tailoring business in Woburn, made the outfit - and London based Benson & Clegg helped with the badge and having the buttons specially hand engraved with Captain Tom’s regiment, all pulling together to get this made in time.

Captain Tom Moore said: “It’s a beautiful bespoke blazer, and one that I will wear with pride for the rest of my days. The craftsmanship and the finer details that have been put into the blazer is astonishing for just 10 days’ work. I was concerned that it would be hard for them to get my measurements and fit me, due to the social distancing regulations, but they done fantastically, and it fits me like a glove. Thank you Souster & Hicks – I love it and shall wear with pride."

Geoff Souster, managing director of Souster & Hicks who personally hand-cut the blazer and trousers, said: “We wanted to provide a special gift for a very special man, so exceptions were made and seeing as we know the family well, we just had to make Captain Tom a new outfit his 100th birthday.

“It was made in just 10 days, with strict social distancing and no fittings, it was a job worth doing for this wonderful gentleman. We are extremely pleased with the results and proud to have had the honour of contributing to such a special day in history”.

Souster & Hicks are also supporting the NHS by supplying frontline staff with approved medical scrubs.

*Captain Tom Moore has also been awarded a prestigious gold Blue Peter badge. Other famous recipients include the Queen and Sir David Attenborough.

*Watch Captain Tom: We Salute You on BBC1 at 7.30pm tonight (Wednesday) which even features Michael Ball at Bedford School.