AFTER more than 30 years of keeping his eye on customers' finances, one of Weaver Vale Housing Trust's longest standing members of staff has retired.

Rudheath resident Jeff Booth, 65, is looking forward to keeping his eye on a bowling ball instead, but leaves with many fond memories of his work.

Jeff has seen many changes over the years including the transfer of Vale Royal council housing stock to Weaver Vale Housing Trust in July 2002.

He said: "The job was very different when I started in 1975.

"In those days all the work was done manually. It wasn't uncommon for rent accountants to work until one in the morning balancing the rent sheets.

"Now everything is done by computer which makes the hours a lot friendlier."

"And I've really enjoyed working with all the staff at the trust. I've made a lot of very good friends here and I will definitely still be calling in to see how everybody is doing."

Jeff is now planning to dedicate more time to his sporting interests.

"Coming from Widnes originally, I like to follow the Widnes Vikings rugby league team so hopefully I will have more time to see them play.

"I'm also a keen bowls player and in the past two years I started going to horse racing with a couple of my colleagues from Weaver Vale Housing Trust, so I'll have plenty of sporting interests to keep me occupied."