Woodford Liberal Synagogue hosted a double barmitzvah on Shabbat for two 83-year-olds who missed out as teenagers.

In the case of David Peterson, it was because of the Nazi occupation of his native Poland. For Peter Benscher, it was a result of ill health.

Mr Peterson, a survivor of Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen, was raised in Ozorków, where "the Nazis had burnt down all the synagogues. I always wanted to have a barmitzvah.

"Fortunately I could still read some Hebrew, so it wasn't too difficult for me, and we have the very enthusiastic and patient Rabbi Richard Jacobi. It's thanks to him that this happened."

His wife Anne, four children, 12 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren were among the congregation and the family also organised
a surprise party for him. "I was overcome - it was a most wonderful feeling."

Mr Benscher was living in Brighton when he was 13. "But I was in hospital with suspected appendicitis. It turned out to be a lot more serious than that and I was in hospital for a year. When I came out, I was just glad to be in the land of the living again.

"When we moved to London, we became very involved in the shul. David and I found out we were born within hours of each other and both had never had a barmitzvah.

"I said to the rabbi that if he was up to the challenge, I was interested. It's taken me two years to prepare but he's a very good teacher."

Both barmitzvah "boys" have been members of the synagogue for more than 40 years.