HE was just a teenager when he signed up, but after 47 years of service Michael Bridges will be clocking off for the last time next week.

The 64-year-old, who turns 65 next week, is leaving Enterprise Works in Gipsy Lane on Friday after joining the company in January 1964 at the tender age of 18.

Michael, of Gorse Hill, who has learning disabilities, works as a bench operator for the Swindon Council sub-contracted area of the company, and he is now officially the longest serving employee ever of Swindon Council.

He said he has always looked forward to coming to work and is planning to come back and visit.

“I am sad I am leaving. I will miss my friends, I have made a lot of good friends here,” he said.

Enterprise Works employs people with mental and physical disabilities and Michael works in a team dealing with light assembly, packaging and fulfilment work for commercial and in-house customers.

Dave Fearon, assembly manager at Enterprise Works, said: “He is very quiet and quite unassuming.

“He likes a little bit of banter and a laugh with people about football.

“He will be missed because he has been here longer than everybody else. Lots of people have come and gone in the time since he has been here.

“He gets on with what he has got to do. Michael always puts in the most effort he can into whatever he is doing. He always puts 100 per cent in.”

Michael has been working 37 hours a week for 47 years, clocking in at 7.45am until 4.30pm Monday to Thursday and 7.45am until 11.45am on Fridays.

During his time with the company he has gained basic skills certificates and there will be a presentation on May 27 to celebrate his dedication to the job.

His sister, Wendy Whale, has cared for him at home for about 15 years and will be at the presentation next week.

“He has enjoyed working there. He has a lot of friends and he will miss them. He would carry on if he didn’t have to retire. Enterprise Works has been a positive part of his life. He has been out mixing with friends, that is the only time he mixes with anybody.”

General manager, Dave Rowland said Michael would be given a certificate and a retirement present from all the staff next week.

“He is a good employee, quite unassuming and he gets on with the job. He has been with us for 47 years and I think that is a record,” he said.