THE senior partner at one of the oldest solicitors in Lancashire has been sent on his bike.

Andrew Rigby, who has been with Rossendale and Bury firm Woodcocks since 1966, retires this month and his colleagues have bought him a mountain bike as a farewell gift.

Andrew, from Irwell Vale, has always tried to keep fit and active and is looking forward to cycling in his new free time.

He said: "I will be sad to go in many ways because I have made some great friends over the years.Woodcocks is very much part of the community."

Andrew joined as an articled clerk serving John Woodcock.

He qualified in 1969 before being made partner six years later and rose to senior partner in 1990.

He said: "I have worked through a tremendous number of changes in the legal profession.

"When I started there were no photocopiers, no dictation machines, typewriters were manual and legal secretaries needed shorthand."

Andrew will continue working for Woodcocks, which has offices in Rawtenstall, Bacup, Haslingden and Ramsbottom, on a consultancy basis.