Long-serving JCB employee Mick Shufflebotham has retired after spending more than 38 years working as a toolmaker.

But rather than preparing to relax and wind down in his retirement, the 62-year-old now has a whole new challenge to prepare for: looking after his seven-month-old granddaughter, Olivia, for two full days per week.

Mick, of Forsbrook, agreed to take on the role of part-time child-minder to Olivia, the daughter of his only child, Dawn, in a bid to keep himself busy during his retirement. He has also set himself a grueling schedule to conquer mountains in the Lake District in the coming years.

Mick, who joined the company in 1968, said: “I’ve really enjoyed being at JCB for all these years but I’m looking forward to spending more time with Olivia and doing plenty of walking. My wife, Pat, doesn’t plan to retire for another couple of years so I need to keep myself busy in the mean time.

“JCB has been a really good company to work for. It’s kept me in a job and paid my wages for nearly 40 years, and I’m grateful for that. I’ve made many friends here and I’ll miss it.”

To mark his retirement, Mick was presented with a golden JCB model and a watch by the company, while friends and colleagues bought him a cordless drill and gift vouchers.