Any other 80-year-old would have put his feet up 15 years ago and settled into a relaxed era of retirement.

But not Settle’s Jack Annandale – his aim is to carry on working as long as he remains fit and healthy.

Jack, who lives at Greenfoot with wife Alwyn, answered an ad for a cleaner at Settle College – then the High School – 12 years ago when he was 68. He got the job and has loved every minute.

“I like to stay active. I’ve seen so many retire and then give up and just sit about their house or go to the pub. I want to keep going as long as I can,” he said.

Jack, whose last job before retiring was as a driver for Settle Paper Mill, has also worked locally for the Weston family at Cappleside, Rathmell, when he and his family, including children Susan, Jackie, Michael and Brian, lived in the village.

Jack was born in Rhynie, Aberdeenshire, but moved south when he joined the Army. He was posted all around Yorkshire with the Royal Signals and became part of the motorbike display team. He rose to sergeant in two-and-a-half years.

He enjoyed playing football in his youth and ran regularly around Settle until he was almost 50.

Now his hobbies centre on his allotment in Cammock Lane.

Last year, one of his cabbages earned first prize at Giggleswick Horticultural Show.

He also got four third prizes with his produce.

“I love my job at the college. They are a grand group of students,” he said.

On his 80th birthday, Settle College presented Jack with a bottle of 10-year-old malt whisky and £80 of gardening vouchers at a meal at the Harts Head Hotel, in Giggleswick.

Settle College principal William Bancroft said: “Jack’s contribution to the college has been outstanding.

“He is always cheerful, willing to help and go the extra mile and is an excellent role model for all of us about the capacity of older people to continue enjoying work.”