A DEDICATED worker has retired after 44 years with the same Dorset firm.

Pete Rattue, 65, joined holiday firm Hoburne as an electrician in 1968 at the age of 21 and dozens of his colleagues gathered to say a fond farewell at a reception held at Hoburne Park in Christchurch.

Hoburne’s chairman Rosie Kennar said: “It’s the end of an era.

“Pete has been part of Hoburne for so long and features in the book we have just published to celebrate our centenary this year.

“The copies arrived fresh off the press just in time for us to present one to Pete.”

Pete, who lives in Christchurch, added: “They say I’m Hoburne through and through.

“I worked for another company for five years when I first left school and vowed I wouldn’t stay in one place so long again – and look what happened.

“My years at Hoburne have been really great; I am looking forward to retirement, but I am going to miss everyone.

“They are all my friends.”