RUNNING to work is now a thing of the past for a super-fit Bolton fireman who retired at weekend.

To the bewilderment of colleagues, John Crook, 50, has been pounding the pavement between his Egerton home and Bolton North Fire Station since 1967.

John has run on country roads around Bolton for many years and his firefighting colleagues soon learned to take advantage of a spin-off benefit resulting from his fitness obsession.

Inadvertently, John became a walking - in fact running - A-Z map of the streets, lanes and tracks around North Bolton.

And fire crews sometimes used John's expert knowledge to find the quickest off road routes to grass fires on the moors above Bolton, saving vital minutes and fighting fires faster.

Sub-Officer Peter Stephenson at Bolton North described John's route-finding as "invaluable" and said that he would be missed by the many firemen who have worked with him over the years.

Saturday night marked the end of a career spanning more than 30 years and former colleagues at Bolton North are having to get used to life without one of the station's most colourful characters.

After joining the Fire Service in November 1965, John served at Bolton Central Fire Station.

He moved to Bolton North when it opened in 1967 and stayed there until his retirement.

John served with Bolton Fire Brigade and then with the Greater Manchester County Fire Service after its formation in 1974.

Even though he had a car, John preferred to get to work under his own steam, even though a tough shift of firefighting lay ahead.

Colleagues at Bolton North honoured John with a special presentation at the end of his final shift.

John has represented the Fire Brigade on the cross country running and road racing circuit.

Last year he received an award for taking part in all 21 road races in Bolton organised by the Fire Brigade.

A member of a Long Distance Walkers' Association and Horwich RMI Harriers, John regularly takes part in events in the North Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District.

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