After fifty golden years in charge of a Bradford company, retirement is the last thing on pensioner George Grange's mind.

The 81-year-old businessman, who set up Grange Packing and Gasket Company in 1948, is continuing to lead by example, working a six day week at the firm's Bolton Lane factory.

At a time when most people are enjoying retirement, a typical day for the pensioner includes a nine-hour stint in the office, where his 79-year old wife Doreen also works as a book-keeper, and a couple of hours of paperwork in the evening at their home in Baildon.

To mark the firm's 50th anniversary and pay tribute to their hard work, the company's employees staged a presentation for the couple, giving Mr Grange an engraved decanter and his wife a bouquet.

Brian Goodall, who has worked at the company for 35 years, said: "I find it incredible that at the age of 81 Mr Grange is still coming into the office and working full days.

"On top of that he works Saturday mornings and he takes paperwork home - he's certainly got more stamina than most."

But modest Mr Grange, who has two daughters and six grandchildren, added: "It's sheer involvement that keeps me here. I am quite happy doing what I am doing and I have no plans other than carrying on."

Mr Grange's rise to the top started in 1933 when he left Hanson Secondary School and started working for a clothes manufacturer before taking a job at a local gasket company.

But the start of the Second World War in 1939 meant he was called up to serve in the Royal Air Force, reaching the rank of Flight Sergeant.

And when the war ended he decided to use his £90 gratuity money to buy a small machine and started his own business making gaskets.

Within three years Mr Grange registered the business as a limited company and commissioned the building of its current base at Bolton Lane.

He finally agreed to sell the business to a group of companies in London on the condition he ran it under the same name of Grange Packing and Gasket Co. (Bradford) Ltd, keeping the 14 men in the works and all his office staff.

John Watson, president of Bradford Chamber of Commerce, said: " This is a remarkable achievement and I am fairly sure it is unique.''

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