Does this man have the OLDEST mobile in Britain? Ex-soldier still uses his Nokia 3310

He claims the trusty model has its original battery which only needs charging every ten days and that the phone itself is indestructible.

It has been through the washing machine, submerged in curry sauce, stamped on and survived military tours of Iraq and Afghanistan.

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Dave Mitchell, 49, says not being connected to the internet is a positive delight and makes him a more sociable person while being unable to take embarrassing ‘selfie’ photos is simply a further bonus.

If he is ever bored for a moment, Mr Mitchell says the phone’s one game – Snake – is enough to keep him entertained when he should be doing other things anyway.

Whereas most people could not live without selfies and apps, the 49-year-old says he would be 'distraught' if he was forced to give his old handset up.

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Retired soldier Dave Mitchell still uses his Nokia 3310 mobile phone that he bought in 2000

Mr Mitchell, from Withernsea, Yorkshire, said: "I bought it in 2000 when I needed a phone to call home when I was away. I haven't needed another one since.

I see no need to change it. I would be distraught if I lost it

Dave Mitchell

"It's been through a lot with me. I have dropped it on numerous occasions, on the floor, in curry sauce, and it's been through the washing machine.

"Each time I've just cleaned it up, dried it off, turned it on again and it's worked. It's like it's made of kryptonite – it's indestructible.

"It's picked up a few scars over the years, but it's still in good working condition.

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Mr Mitchell on the second row from the bottom, sixth in from the left

"I have a camera if I ever want to take photos, and I don't do selfies.

"I'm perfectly happy with what I've got. Why would I ever change?"

Mr Mitchell served in the army for 29 years, completing several tours of the Middle East, including Iraq and Afghanistan, before moving into administration.

When he left in 2010 he put his phone away in a drawer and did not touch it for several years.

Mr Mitchell, who now works for a memorial masons, said: "My wife used to worry that sometimes that she couldn't get in touch with me, and my daughter was going to college, so I was persuaded to start using my phone again.

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"My son wanted to get me a new one. It was something silver, with a colour screen and a camera, and undoubtedly more flimsy.

"But I told him it would be a waste of time. I'm perfectly happy with what I've got, and I like not being connected to the internet.

"It means I'm not one of those people sat at a table with friends just staring at their phone.

"If I'm bored and I've got a spare moment I have Snake on my phone. It's a fantastic game.

"People do have a laugh about it when I take it out, and call me old fashioned. Well maybe I am, but I have the last laugh when they get cracked screens and my phone seems to survive everything.

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The retired soldier says the phone’s one game, Snake, is enough to keep him entertained

"The downside now is that my daughter can call me if she needs a lift, so sometimes I become a bit of a taxi."

The only real hassle he has with the 3310 is that mobile phone companies force him to pay for data he cannot use.

Mr Mitchell said: "I went to one provider who said they could tailor any deal you needed.

"So I asked them if I could get a deal with just texts and minutes and they said no. I guess I had them on a bit of a sticky wicket with that one."

Mr Mitchell insists he is going to keep the phone for as long as he can: "I see no need to change it. I would be distraught if I lost it."

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