111-year-old Arturo Licata is officially the world's oldest living man

Arturo Licata was crowned by the Guinness Book of World Records after reaching the age of 111 years and 302 days at the end of February.

17:45 28 February 2014

Arturo Licata from Sicily is officially the world’s oldest living man after reaching the age of 111 years and 302 days, surpassing the previous record.

He was awarded the title by the Guinness Book of World Records after officials checked his birth papers and marriage records. Born in May 1902, Mr Licata joins the league of supercentenarians – people who have passed their 110th birthday.

As a young boy, Licata worked in sulphur mines and went on to work as a security guard. He also worked in a pharmacy where he would accompany children who are suffering from tuberculosis to hospital in Palermo. He joined the Italian army at the age of 19 and served 18 years. He retired in 1939 just as World War Two began.

Widowed since 1980, the oldest living man has seven children, eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Craig Glenday, Guinness World Records Editor-in-Chief, said: “Signor Licata is the oldest of only three men alive today known to be over the age of 110 - compared with 65 women - so it’s a privilege to be able to ratify him officially and include him in our book.”