SICKLY David McCheyne started work at 15 after several years of treatment for a weak heart.

His parents despaired of him finding employment because he had missed a great deal of schooling through illness.

But the company secretary at the East Lancashire Paper Mill in Radcliffe - who knew the family - was able to help.

Mr McCheyne, the Recycled Packaging Sales Manager, is now retiring - after 45 years.

He recalls that the company secretary promised his parents: "Don't worry, we'll find him a job and look after him."

Mr McCheyne says simply: "They did."

He began his working life in the time office - preparing clock cards and wage slips and collecting post from the general post office on the company bicycle.

Then he moved into the general office and later worked on production planning before moving into sales (at the request of ELPM) with a paper merchant, J B Lawton, which was then owned by East Lancs.

He later moved back to the mill and took over responsibility for promoting the recycled packaging division, which has since trebled in size.

Not only did Mr McCheyne work for the paper mill, he also overcame his illness to play football and cricket on behalf of the mill for more than 40 years.

He has also represented the mill at tennis, table tennis and bowls.

Mr McCheyne, who lives in Schofield Street, Radcliffe, is married with three sons and a daughter.

"I have enjoyed every minute of my time here - and intend to enjoy my retirement to the full too," he said.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.