When Jeff Girling took voluntary redundancy from Rolls-Royce in Bristol after 30 years, he thought he was too young to retire.

So, at the age of 48, he started a venture he had always wanted to do – run his own burger van.

And now, four years later, Jeff's Jumbos in Straits Parade, Fishponds, has become something of an institution.

He has provided tables and chairs so pensioners can sit down to enjoy a cup of tea from china cups.

And he helps adults with learning difficulties who live nearby by writing letters for them or showing them how to pay their bills.

He has even tailored his menu to suit police officers who work at a nearby police station.

Yesterday, councillors gave their civic seal of approval to Mr Girling, 51, who lives in Mangotsfield, by giving him a licence to operate from the wide grass verge opposite a rank of shops.

Mr Girling said after the hearing: "I'm absolutely chuffed.

"It's fantastic news and good for Fishponds.

"I love doing what I do – I don't do it for the money.

"In my first year's trading, I made a loss of £135 and during the next two years, I made nothing at all.

"When I knew I had to come to this hearing, I had half-a-dozen offers of help to run the van while I was away.

"And I knew I could leave the cash register open and not a penny would be taken.

"Everyone knows me in Fishponds, the young mums with their children, the pensioners – my van is a meeting place, somewhere which helps to create a community spirit."

Mr Girling won his licence to operate from 7am to 3pm, Monday to Saturday, after convincing councillors that he ran his van, according to council regulations and without depriving local traders of their own business.

Some letters of objection were received but Mr Girling explained that the protests were levelled against fast food vans which use the grass verge at night – he only operates during the day.

He told members of the council's public safety and protection committee that he started off with a van selling jacket potatoes.

But after he split up from his wife, he bought another van and began selling a wider menu of hot food.

He moved on to the grass verge after work began to replace a gas main in the road where he was parked.

He said although he didn't have a licence, he always contacted the council for permission before making any changes, such as providing the tables.

He said he now wanted to provide a bouncy castle for young children.

Committee chairman councillor Ron Stone said: "We believe you have tried to conform with the council's regulations and we are content to grant you your licence. We wish you well."

The licensing department previously concentrated on marshalling the fast food vans in the city, but in March it was decided to keep stricter control of vans in outlying districts of the city.