Staff at Whitchurch based company AJ Lowther and Son Ltd were delighted to down tools to celebrate the remarkable milestone achieved by their colleague Grenville Phillips.

Gren has now completed 50 years with the company and is still going strong.

Chairman and founder of AJ Lowther's, Philip Lowther paid glowing tribute to Grenville. "If it had not been for Grenville's dedication, hard work and support, particularly in the early years of the company, I do wonder whether the company would have survived. No matter what the problem and whatever time of the day or night Gren would always be there to help get things sorted. What is certain is that the AJ Lowther's would not be the success it is today if it wasn't for the contribution that Grenville has made over the years."

The presentation took place at the works in Whitchurch and included a framed copy of Grenville's first pay slip, a garden bench for when he does manage to sit down for a few minutes, a few bottles to toast his new bench and a cheque for him and his wife Gail to spend on a holiday.

Grenville has no plans to retire which is just as well as Philip Lowther said "Gren has been here so long I'm not sure what the place would be like without him"

Grenville likes building motorcycle Trikes and has recently completed one powered by a 1600 VW engine with a Harley Davison front end which he is taking to Ireland for a week with his wife Gail.