For Ken Andrews, retirement was never going to be the chance for a quiet life.

"I could never imagine just leaving work and vegetating for the rest of my days," the 74-year-old laughs.

When Ken, from Westbury Park, took early retirement in 1988 from his job as South West regional works manager for BT, he immediately threw himself into higher education.

"I decided to do a masters degree in local history at Bath Spa University," he says, "then I went on to write two local history books, and after I'd graduated I offered my services as a volunteer at Bristol Industrial Museum."

The museum – which is currently being transformed into the new Museum Of Bristol – has three historic boats, which Ken helps to keep in order during his two days' service each week.

The 1934 fire service launch, The Pyronaut, the 1861 Mayflower – the oldest working steam tug in the world – and the 1935 diesel tug John King are all kept in order by Ken and his fellow volunteers.

"These old vessels are still running beautifully, because they've been so well looked after," says Ken.

"It's the same with people these days – age doesn't need to equate to becoming inactive.

"I'm 74 years old, but I don't feel too old. A few decades ago somebody who was 74 would have seemed like an old, old man. But we're all living longer, and staying fitter, so we might as well enjoy our retirement fully."

Fellow museum volunteer Dave Cole, 61, agrees. Also a BT engineer, he retired in 1998, and says he is still having the time of his life.

"I went on a gap year when I left work, so I could do all the things I'd always wanted to do, and travel all over the world," says Dave.

"Then I saw an advert asking for volunteers to work on the restoration of the old Stothert & Pit cranes on the harbour outside the old Industrial Museum.

"I thought it was a wonderful opportunity to do something interesting. I could just come down from my home in Bedminster a few times each week, and spend time working on these wonderful old cranes.

"There are so many opportunities these days in the voluntary sector. It's great when you're getting older to be able to do something you enjoy being a part of.

"There's a brilliant sense of camaraderie among all the volunteers at the museums, so it's also a good opportunity to get out and meet new people as you're getting older. And one thing always leads to another when you're a volunteer – you find yourself being invited to do all sorts of interesting and exciting things.

"We've even been used as background characters in the BBC Casualty series, as well as playing all sorts of roles in documentaries and even feature films when they want to use the harbour as a backdrop.

"It's all good fun, and the sort of thing I would never have imagined I'd be doing in my retirement."