Sixty-year-old Phil Bexon joined the authority when it was known as Mansfield Borough Council in December 1962 and stayed there until his retirement last month –– making him the council's longest serving employee ever.

He was presented with a certificate and clock by Mansfield mayor Tony Egginton at a full council meeting on Tuesday.

"We can find no other records of anybody who has served this authority in such a remarkable way as Phil has done," said Mr Egginton.

The only other person to have worked almost as many years at the council was plumber Tony Taylor, who retired in 2005 just weeks before completing 45 years' service.

Mr Bexon sent out a big thank you to the councillors for the presentation, saying: "I have had some good times and I have had some bad times — the bad times were when I burnt my fingers and the good times were working for you."

He began life at the authority with a four-year apprenticeship and was promoted to chargehand painter in 1978.

Mr Bexon has also been a designated first aider since 1992 and has undertaken out of hours driving duties for the council with his LGV licence, including gritting the roads in the winter months.