Overhead crane driver Billy Chick has retired 50 years after he started working with what is now Hanson Bath & Portland.

He lives on the Dorset island of Portland and started working in its famous stone producing industry as an apprentice mason as soon as he left school. He spent two years in national service in Germany before returning to Portland.

Among his retirement gifts, presented by Hanson Bath & Portland general manager Jonathan Pitt, was a restored klaxon horn dating from the early part of the century and recovered from one of cranes driven by Chick half a century ago when the works were all out in the open air.

Billy Chick was also presented with the Institute of Quarrying\'s silver medal for long service to the industry.