AFTER 43 years and more than 200 miles of carpet, long-serving weaver Vincent Hammerton has finally retired from Rishton's Gaskell Carpets.

Grandad Vincent, a keen dancer who keeps tropical fish, was presented with a cheque from the company and a fish tank from colleagues at the Parker Street site.

Factory manager Bryce Maxwell said: "We all wish Vincent a long and happy retirement after all the years he has spent here but he will be missed too. Gaskell's has been in Rishton for 50 years and we have had our fair share of problems but thanks to the loyalty and dedicated of staff like Vincent we have carried on.

"At one point he even lived next door."

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