Peter Hamer had worked for Kenyons Builders Ltd since 1958 and was given a big send-off with a celebration meal at the Pines Hotel, in Clayton-le-Woods, on Friday.

The dad-of-two, of Pilling Lane, Chorley, started work at the firm as an apprentice and became a permanent fixture on buildings across the borough ever since.

The keen Blackburn Rovers supporter is looking forward to dedicating more time to going walking and will be going on an ocean cruise with his wife Margaret in summer.

He said: "I've enjoyed my working life and have got many good memories to look back on.

"The firm gave me a smashing send-off and I would like to thank them for that, we all had a great time.

"The job suited me because I could be in Adlington, Whittle-le-Woods and Euxton at different times in the same day.

"I have met a lot of people over the years and it has been very interesting.

"I started on a Tuesday morning and retired on a Friday, two days before I turned 65."