DARWEN'S top building surveyor enjoyed a pint to mark his retirement.

Surrounded by work colleagues and friends, Gordon Holden, 59, of Lyndhurst Road, waved farewell to his hard-hat image after more than 30 years.

Gordon worked for Darwen Council in 1973 before it merged with Blackburn, and spent three decades overseeing the safety of the town's buildings.

More than 20 people attended the Millstone to say a fond farewell.

At the celebration, Gordon said: "It's nice to see that so many people are here and it's good to know that this time next week I'll be retired!"

Gordon witnessed the early stages of the housing developments on Avondale Road and Sunnymere Drive in the early 1970s as well as the new motorway services on the M65.

He plans to work more closely with community groups, including Darwen Rotary, upon his retirement.

He said: "It will be good to be able to get back into the heart of the community."