PLAYING football on the car park is one of Ken Whitefield's favourite memories of his 39-year career.

But after working full-time at Chell Engineering, in Cheadle, for almost four decades, Ken, who celebrates his 65th birthday on Saturday, has decided to hang up his overalls.

The grandfather-of-four started working at the factory, on the Brookhouse Industrial Estate, in 1973 as a centre lathe turner.

He decided to take up the role after spending five years at New Haden Pumps, also in Cheadle, as an apprentice, aged 26.

Ken, of Bala Grove, Cheadle, said: "I started working at Chell just for a bit of extra experience, I never expected to be here for so long."

Ken, who was employed on a starting rate of 50 pence an hour, had a passion for cars and enjoyed foreign holidays, but his main interest was football.

He said: "During our dinner time we used to go out to the car park, or to a field next to the brook and play football.

"We used to split into teams and we were really serious about it. Sometimes we even started fighting.

"People went away with broken legs and ankles.

"We played in all weathers, wind and rain. We would cut the bottom out of a couple of plastic bags and tie them round our legs so our overalls didn't get muddy. We had some great times and even made a trophy for the winning team."

While Ken's last official day is tomorrow, he will be returning to his workbench for three days a week on a temporary basis.

He said: "I really enjoy my work, there are a great bunch of lads here. I have seen a lot of people come and go, but there's always been a good team."

Ken, who has two daughters, will spend the rest of his time with his 63-year-old wife Jennifer, gardening and going on long walks.

Ken added: "My wife retired just before Christmas and she carried on working after she reached the age of 60, so I decided to carry on a bit longer and we'll see how it goes.

"I'm looking forward to spending a bit of extra time with the family."

To mark Ken's retirement, the 28-strong workforce at Chell Engineering, laid on a party yesterday and presented him with a cheque for £1,000.

Managing director Mark Lovatt, who has been at the company for 44 years, said: "We will be really sorry to see Ken go. He is a great worker and has got all of the old skills.

"He has been responsible for teaching new staff the old ways over the years, because those old skills are still needed.

"The way we do things has changed a lot over the years and things are more computerised now so Ken's skills are valuable."

"He has been an excellent worker and our longest-serving employee.

"When are glad he agreed to continue to work for a short while longer and when he goes for good he will be missed because his skills are impossible to replace.

"We have been very lucky to have him."