DOORMAN Les Steadman defies the norm as he maintains law and order in pubs and clubs at the age of 58.

He is certainly not the stereo-typical doorman.

This small, 13-and-a-half-stone, grandfather is respected by drinkers and landlords alike for the quiet way he goes about his business, sorting out problems with the minimum of fuss.

Possibly the oldest doorman in the country, Mr Steadman works at Bliss in Skipton and at Il Trovatore in Ilkley and thinks that at 58 he is still as fit, if not in better shape, than his most of his younger colleagues.

The grandfather-of-four and former champion boxer says his talents lie in being able to talk to people and calm them down rather than using brute force to throw them out.

"Everyone thinks that if you are a toughy, you are right to be a doorman, but it takes a better man. You have got to have the right temperament.

"You are there to stop trouble not create it. I have always done it to the best of my ability and kept control of myself," he said.

Halifax-born Les is proud of the fact that he has never been hurt in almost 40 years as a doorman, and he still works out everyday to ensure he stays in top physical shape.

However, he certainly had a difficult start to life.

Les's mum died during childbirth and when his father went into the army he was put into a children's home.

He said: "I was a right weakling, thin with cuts, bruises and scars but I am none the worse for it."

He was also bullied at school, but his life began to turn for the better when he started boxing at the age of 10 and was later crowned Schoolboys Champion six times.

Being able to handle himself led him into a doorman's job at Big Daddy's in Halifax during the era when Bryan Ferry played at the venue.

The fitness fanatic boxed until he was 35 and fought over 330 senior matches, including a closely contested fight with Dave Odwell who was the England team captain in the Olympics.

He also played rugby for Keighley, Wharfedale, Skipton and Halifax until he was 54.

Among his claims to fame are an appearance on This Is Your Life as a friend of boxer Richard Dunn, and meeting Muhammad Ali when he fought in Germany.

Les took a break from boxing in his 20s and made his comeback when he moved to Skipton at the age of 28 and opened his own club at Sandylands.

He was offered a doorman's job at the old Waterfront, now Lock, Stock and Barrel, after the police recommended him, and later was offered similar posts at Il Trovatore, Bliss and most recently the Matrix.

The way he handles difficult situations has earned him respect from the police and pub and club owners, and he is now supervising doorman at all the places he works and trains potential doormen, both physically and mentally for the trade.

His motivation to overcome his difficult early years and dedication to his profession and sport has rubbed off on his children.

Sons Andrew, Steven and Philip are all boxers and his daughter Rachel is a top disco dancer who has recently competed in the European championships.

She relies on her father to drive to practice sessions in Middlesbrough every weekend.