CHARTERED accountant John Gorton hadn't "counted" on such a surprise when he turned up for his last day of work.

Staff at Thompson, Gorton and Jones on Blackburn Street swapped their normally sober suits for walking gear in a light-hearted tribute to Mr Gorton, who is a keen rambler.

Mr Gorton (62) who retired on Friday (March 30) started the business in 1961 and originally lived in a flat over the first office which was situated where the Ethel Austin shop now stands on Blackburn Street.

"We later moved to premises between the baths and the church. We were the cleanest boys in Radcliffe," joked Mr Gorton.

The business continued to flourish and in 1979 it moved to its present location, Stanmore House.

Offshoots include Stanmore Insurance Brokers and Stanmore Financial Services and last October the firm merged with Bury-based Thompson Jones to become Thompson, Gorton and Jones.

Mr Gorton, who now lives in Greenmount, celebrated his retirement with a hoe-down party for staff and friends.

He plans to do more walking and play more golf in his retirement, but he will not be completely severing his links with the company.

"I will be an on-going consultant with the company and my son, Jim, also works there."