FACTORY stalwart Sid Harrison retired at the age of 79 yesterday, then said he would have liked to carry on.

If it was not for health problems, unstoppable Sid said he would have continued working on the factory floor at the C A Hields engineering firm, in Allan Street, Darlington.

He said: "I often wondered if I should find something better to do, but I have just got used to coming here.

"I have a touch of arthritis in my knee, so getting here has become a bit much, but I would have been quite happy to carry on. I never saw coming to work as hard work."

Although the scale of the operation has dwindled since the days when Sid was starting out at the former Settle Engineering factory, he has been a constant feature over the past half-century.

His tireless commitment to the firm, which now has a workforce of only six, was rewarded with a presentation in his honour.

He was given a cup, bottle of whisky and cash by emotional colleagues on his final day.

His allegiance to the firm began on October 5, 1949, after he and his late wife, Ethel, moved from Birmingham.

He has done gear-cutting and manufacturing, turning, milling and an array of other jobs over the years.

He said: "When I first started at Settle Engineering, there were about 50 people here, doing work for people like ICI, but it soon changed hands to Hields.

"Now there is only six of us, but we are doing the same type of work, mainly repairs and small engineering. I have always worked full-time."

Looking ahead to retirement, things are not likely to slow down Sid, who has had a treasured motorbike and sidecar since 1959.

He said: "I am hoping to get a knee replacement soon so that I can get out riding my bike. I have always been into my bikes and I will watch them on telly, but it is not quite the same."

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