Council maintenance man Mike Harvey has been a familiar sight around Witney for the past 49 years.

But on Monday, June 4, just a day before his 66th birthday, he will retire after setting a long-service record.

Mr Harvey, pictured with his ever-present dog Dolly, was born and bred in the town. He started in 1953 as a trainee groundsman with the old Witney Urban District Council.

Mike with Dolly

He has looked after the recreation grounds, cemetery and playground areas in the town ever since.

He and his five-man team does, he says: "The jobs that everybody forgets about."

The job has changed over the years - it no longer includes grass-cutting or the upkeep of parks and sports pitches.

But much remains the same, including litter bin maintenance, grave digging at the cemetery, and ensuring that swings and play equipment are in order.

Mr Harvey, of Hailey Road, Witney, is a widower with four grandchildren. In recent years he has inseparable from springer spaniel Dolly.

"She goes everywhere with me," he says. "We've now got to find something else to do during the day."

Town Clerk Judy White said: "We certainly haven't anyone else who can come anywhere near Mike's length of service."

**Picture: Richard Cave