A PRESTON family has notched up nearly 300 years service with Preston City Council, and their legacy is continuing.

Bill Bailey, of Crossfield, Hutton, has recorded his family tree with the help of his wife Elizabeth Ann.

As they compiled it, it struck them that members of the Bailey and the Harris families had all worked for the council.

Bill, who will be 80 soon, came to Preston after the Second World War when he was in India with the Royal Army Pay Corps. He trained as a bricklayer with Preston Corporation.

"I lived two doors down from Elizabeth Ann and used to see her washing her mothers doorstep, I fancied her straight away and we married in 1947," he said.

After having an operation on his ear, an old war wound, Bill had to give up bricklaying and began as a street mason, still with the Corporation.

From 1956 he worked as a flagger, pavor and kerber in the highways department until his boss told him of a job going as a clerk in the 'big house'. He began work at the Town Hall in 1966 and his first project was the widening of Blackpool Road.

But the story goes way back to the 1800s. "It all began with Happy Harris -- so nicknamed because he was always smiling, he pulled a horse and cart around the streets," said Bill.

Happy's son Teddy served in the highways department as a pavor and was often seen pulling his cart around the docks. Teddy's two sons Paddy and Teddy followed in his foot steps holding posts in the education department, police force and traffic.

Teddy snr's daughter is Bill's wife Elizabeth Ann and she too was no exception to the rule, Bill said: "My wife began work in the Royal Preston Infirmary as a cleaner she then worked at the ambulance station on Deepdale Road."

The couple's son John Bailey, 54, from Longridge, is now senior works officer in Preston City Council, he said: "I have seen many changes here my favourite part of Preston is Avenham park, but I also liked the docks, I don't think Preston reaches its full potential and I hope we receive more money now we are a city.

"I'm thinking of retiring soon but I may be tempted to stand for council, so the family may continue yet."

Preston Mayor, Councillor Alan Hackett, said: "I have certainly never heard of any family so far, who has had such a long tradition in the council, there may have been someone but this family seem to be exceptional."