SCHOOLBOY apprentice Gordon Mason has celebrated becoming Hyndburn Council’s longest-serving employee with a promise to turn his 45 years work in the borough’s parks into 50.

The Accrington resident told how his first day at work at Mercer Park was ‘daunting’ especially as he ended up with blood spurting from his thumb while trimming a geranium.

Despite a rocky start on just £7 a week as a 15-year-old, his love of the job and working in the outdoors has left him hoping to complete 50 years in the job before he retires.

Mr Mason, now 60 and the parks multi-task foreman’, was presented with a tankard at Oak Hill Park in Accrington by borough chief executive David Welsby watched by his colleagues.

The event recognised his distinguished career and achievement in becoming the council’s longest serving employee.

Mr Mason began work straight from school on his 15th birthday, August 14 1972, as an apprentice at Mercer Park in Clayton-le-Moors.

Mr Mason said; “I was totally gobsmacked to receive the tankard, I had no idea at all and didn’t realise that anything was going to happen, so it was a big surprise.”

Recalling his first day, he said; “It was really daunting turning up at Mercer Park straight from school as a raw 15-year-old lad.

“I was in awe of meeting the big boss of Parks, and later in the day I managed to cut through a geranium and my thumb at the same time, with blood spurting everywhere.

“It was all worth it for my first weekly wage though, a princely sum of £7. I thought I was rich!”

Mr Mason works in all the borough’s parks, but Gatty Park in Church has a special place in his heart as after spending 20 years there.

He said: “I love the job and working outdoors, it doesn’t matter what the weather’s doing as long as you’re wrapped up for the cold and waterproofed against the rain properly you’re fine with whatever it throws at you.

““I’d like to make it to 50 years, health and everything else permitting, so we’ll see what the future brings.”

Mr Welsby, said; “As our longest serving employee, Gordon has a special place in the history of the council and we are all very proud of the work that he’s done.”

Cllr Miles Parkinson, leader of Hyndburn Council,said; “Gordon is a well-known and highly respected member of our excellent parks and open spaces team who has always done a fantastic job. We’re all proud of his sterling work.”

He added: “Forty five years is a big milestone, huge congratulations to him.”