A DISTRICT council has paid tribute to a man who has helped play an instrumental role in life in and around the Holsworthy area.

Torridge District Council has said it has bid a fond farewell to its longest-serving officer, Michael Crocker, who has retired after an extraordinary 46 years of dedicated public service.

Mr Crocker, known as Mike to many of those he worked with and helped, began his career with the council on Monday, July 16 1979, a little over two months after Margaret Thatcher became the first female prime minister of the United Kingdom.

He joined Torridge District Council initially as a skilled carpenter based in Holsworthy, where he was responsible for maintaining council housing. In those early years, windows and doors were crafted in the workshop before being installed on site, a testament to the hands-on craftsmanship of the time.

Over the years, Mr Crocker took on a wide variety of roles, including foreman, Holsworthy market superintendent, trade waste officer, abandoned vehicle officer, and more recently, grounds maintenance and cemeteries officer. His responsibilities spanned everything from supervising tradespeople and supporting refuse and street cleaning teams, to working with contractors to maintain Torridge's parks, play areas and cemeteries.

Reflecting on his career, Mr Crocker said: "It has been a privilege to work at Torridge. I started in 1979 and have since taken on a variety of roles. There have been many changes over the 46 years I have been here, but I have genuinely enjoyed my time working for the council. I have made lifelong friends among colleagues and residents; they were the reason I stayed for so long."

Upon his retirement, Mr Crocker was the subject of tributes from political figures and officers at the council where he spent the vast majority of his working career.

Councillor Ken James, leader of Torridge District Council, said: "I have known Mike for a long time, and 46 years is an incredible amount of time to dedicate to public service. It is very rare to see this level of commitment. I was honoured to present Mike with his long service award and wish him all the best for a happy and well-earned retirement with his family and friends."

Steve Hearse, the chief executive of Torridge District Council, said: "Mike is a great role model for anyone looking to either start or is in a career in public service. On behalf of everyone at the council, I would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Mike for his outstanding service and wish him a happy and well-deserved retirement."

Richard Haste, operational services manager at Torridge District Council, said: "I have had the pleasure of working alongside Mike for 37 of his 46 years at Torridge. He was a great officer, but an even better person and he always made it clear that it was friends first and colleagues second. Mike's dedication has made a lasting impact at the council, and he will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of working with him."