DEREK Lanman is ahead of the game when it comes to working later in life.

In the week that it became illegal to make people retire at 65, the groundsman and handyman at St Michael’s College in Tenbury must be wondering what all of the fuss is about.

He is 75 and going strong but even more remarkably has worked at the same place since 1951.

Derek, who was at St Michael’s before it became a college for students from overseas, is an exception to the rule that there is no such thing as a job for life.

Although nominally employed on a part time basis he hardly misses a day doing some work in the grounds.

He has seen St Michael’s expand and will watch with interest the latest development as the college starts to take local as well as foreign students.