A WOODWORK enthusiast who started work as an apprentice shipwright has just left a job he loves after 42 years.

Brian Grundy joined the Manchester Ship Canal straight from school and climbed his way up to becoming a manager responsible for the maintenance of 15 miles of the middle reaches of the waterway.

Keeping five swing bridges, two locks and three sluices constantly operational were among his many tasks.

The 58-year-old now looks back on his rewarding career as he has just retired.

“When work gets in your blood it becomes more than a job,” said Brian, from Higher Runcorn.

“I took great pride in making sure the canal was always up and running.”

Runcorn-born Brian said a teacher at The Heath School suggested the apprenticeship.

“I enjoyed woodwork,” he said. “A shipwright is a dying breed but I loved it.

“I used to repair wooden boats, anything to do with timber, ship canal tugs, dredging tugs and dredgers.”

Brian became responsible for round the clock maintenance including organising divers to carry out emergency repairs.

“Anything to do with locks or machinery under water, I would manage the divers,” said Brian.

If there was a risk of flooding, he had to adjust water levels.

He supervised engineers and maintenance crews 24/7 to ensure that boats had a smooth passage through lock gates at all times.

On one occasion a 100 foot log jammed a sluice gate.

Scrap, grain and cement are transported on regular shipments along the canal.

Managing the safety of Halton’s firework display beside the Silver Jubilee bridge was another responsibility.

“We used to take all the equipment to the gantry wall and supply safety boats.”

Brian and his long term partner Sue Hardy, who are foster parents, were treated to a trip on the restored Daniel Adamson steam tug after a retirement presentation.