THE head horseman of brewery Thwaites has hung up his reins after four decades of looking after the firm’s shire horses.

Charlie Beardmore joined the Penny Street firm in 1969 and retires today, on his 59th birthday.

His last public engagement was to take the shires to The Gamecock Inn at Austwick on Thursday.

Darwen-born Mr Beardmore has worked closely with the popular shire horses and helped to secure an unrivalled eight national Champion Turnout titles in 12 years at the National Shire Horse Show.

Mr Beardmore said looking after the horses had been more than just a job to him.

He said: “This job has been my life for 40 years and I have enjoyed every minute of it.

“I have built up a fantastic relationship with my colleagues, four-legged and two-legged, over the years and have some wonderful memories.

“If I had to pick a favourite shire it would have to be Classic, who I had the pleasure of spending 15 years with and built up a very special bond.

“It really has been a fantastic time and while I am sad to leave behind all my friends at Thwaites after such great support over the years, I am looking forward to spending some time with my family.”

Mr Beardmore’s dad owned The Globe Inn in Blackburn and, as a boy, he would spend his spare time at the brewery’s stables, which were fewer than 200 yards from the pub.

He met his wife, Christine, at the firm, where she worked as a secretary in 1969.

During his time at Thwaites, Mr Beardmore has taken the horses to Germany, the Houses of Parliament and to London’s Olympia to officially open the Great British Beer Festival.

Ann Yerburgh, Thwaites chairwoman, said: “Charlie’s dedication and contribution to the business over the past 40 years has been immense and he has played a significant part in helping to shape Thwaites into the brewery it is today.

“He has been a great friend and colleague to many people within the business.

“Charlie has always done his job with great professionalism and along with his team and the fantastic shires he has helped to continue and preserve Thwaites’ long and proud tradition of being a leading family brewer.”