The oldest worker at a DIY superstore has finally hung up his apron days before his 97th birthday.

Syd Prior, who has worked at B&Q for nearly 21 years, started out at the Wimbledon branch at the age of 76 before moving to the New Malden store in Burlington Road as a meeter and greeter.

The 96-year-old, who has not been out of a job since the age of 14, said staying in work has kept him young and said it was the secret to a long and happy life.

He said: “Working with people of all ages gives youngsters the chance to learn a little from an old timer like myself, and they help to keep me young at heart.”

The pensioner said he enjoys an active social life and is looking forward to more lunches out and nights at the theatre now he has finally given up work.

Mr Prior joined the Royal Core of Signalmen in 1939 where he served for over six years in North Africa and Italy until the end of the Second World War.

On leaving the army Mr Prior worked as a salesman for a machinery company and for a grocer business in Covent Garden, owned by his nephew who moved to Spain leaving him jobless.

But the Horsham-born man was not unemployed for long as one of his former army pals, who was the manager of Wimbledon B&Q, offered him work in the garden department.

Mr Prior thought the job would be a nice hobby for a short while but found he was still there years later and was honoured with the role of officially opening the flagship New Malden branch in 2009.

The dedicated worker celebrated his 95th birthday with his colleagues and took part in what was thought to be the UK’s biggest flash-mob dance in March this year.

Euan Sutherland, CEO of Kingfisher UK and Ireland, which owns B&Q said being part of Syd’s birthday celebrations were a key highlight in his career and all the staff will be sad to see him go.

He said: “I had the honour and privilege of meeting Syd regularly in our New Malden store where he was a greeter.

“He certainly deserves a very well earned rest and second retirement. We’d all like to wish him a very happy 97th birthday and applaud him for the massive contribution he has made to B&Q.”

B&Q’s eldest colleague is now 88-year-old Albert Billington in Bristol, followed closely by Clifford Sarjeant, from Kettering aged 87 and Stanley Collins, from Guildford aged 86.

Syd’s eldest successor at the New Malden store is 79-year-old Hazel Ward.