Family and friends paid a surprise tribute to a Congresbury man as he celebrated 50 years in the same job.

Brian Hunt, 77, who lives in Venus Street, started work at the age of nine and has barely had a week off since.

From milking cows to national service his working life was full of adventure and even danger. Then at age 27 he joined Mather and Platt, now known as Tyco International, where he was to spend the next half a century.

His daughter Mandy Newman, 43, who lives in Summerhill Road, St George, organised the surprise party at the Pied Horse Pub, as a celebration of the achievement.

She said: "Dad worked from when he was nine. He used to go to the local farm and help Fred Griffen, the local farmer, milk the cows before school. He then helped with haymaking and all sorts. He never liked to be idle and was always happy working.

"He joined the Royal Armed Services Core at Yeovil where he worked in Egypt and almost lost his life. He went over a bridge that was blown up just missing him and then he was also lucky in a grenade attack. Him and his mate took a dinghy out on the Red Sea during that time too, they both fell asleep and when they woke up they couldn't see land but luckily managed to paddle back to shore."

Once back in Bristol Mr Hunt married Ann and had three daughters. He then started work at Tyco, a fire safety company, installing sprinklers at various offices and power stations around the region."

He still continues to work at least three days a week in between putting in the hours on his allotment and calling bingo numbers at Pill Memorial Club on Sunday nights.

Brian said: "I just can't sit still, I hate being idle – that's me. I had a short break from the company but I couldn't give up work. I've had a reasonable living from them and I can't grumble.

"The party was a complete surprise, I was told I was going for an evening meal so I was very touched that everyone gathered to celebrate."