Owner of oldest phone in the UK still uses his trusty Nokia 3310 he bought 17 years ago…and yes, he does play Snake

A FORMER soldier could win the title of owning the oldest mobile phone as he still uses a Nokia 3310 which he brought almost 17 years ago.

Dave Mitchell brought his trusty phone in 2000 and claims that it only needs charging once every ten days.

Dave has taken the handset on military tours of Iraq and Afghanistan during his career as a soldier.

He insists the phone has been put through a washing machine, stamped on and submerged in curry sauce but remains in perfect working order.

The 49-year-old said he would be "distraught" if he was forced to give the phone up and is not tempted by a newer model.

Do you still use on old phone? Email hannah.crouch@the-sun.co.uk

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

"It's been through a lot with me. I have dropped to 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.

"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?"

Dave 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 several years.

Dave, who now works for a memorial masons, said: "My days in the army meant that I was good at planning days, so I would work out what I was going to do and stick to the plan. There was no need to tell anyone where I was all the time.

"If I had broken down in the car, I like to think I would have been resourceful enough to sort the situation without needing to call for help.

"It just sat in a draw gathering dust. I didn't really bother me that I didn't have it.

"I had my landline at home and work if people needed to get in touch."

However, his family eventually persuaded him to keep a phone on him, and Dave took his Nokia out of retirement.

Dave's son tried several times to get him to upgrade, but despite people cracking jokes about his phone, Dave resolutely stuck to his choice.

He insists there is a 'freedom' in not being connected to the internet and that it helps him to be more sociable.

He 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.

"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.

"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.

Dave 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."

Dave insists he is going to keep the phone for as long as he can.

He said: "I have not even needed to change the battery, and it lasts for 10 days on one charge.

"I see no need to change it. I have a spare one in the draw, but this one has been all over with me. I would be distraught if I lost it."

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