WORKERS gathered to raise a glass to a colleague who has been a Michelin man for four decades.

The celebration marked a major milestone as Ken Lockett, 56, became the first Burnley employee to clock up 40 years service with the company.

The factory production planning manager joined the firm as a £4-a-week apprentice and was trained at the Stoke-on-Trent Plant because in those days there were no training facilities in Burnley.

His career in tyre production, saw him advance from an assistant work study officer in the '60s to his present management post.

September gives Ken, from Burnley, cause for double celebration because it also marks his and wife Susan's 30th wedding anniversary.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.