A fast food worker has turned down retirement as he approaches 20 years in the McJob.

John Poole, began working for McDonalds in May 1990 after giving up his job in the building trade to take a temporary job with the burger giant.

The industry took a slump in 1990 and John took flight.

Having entered what is often considered the domain of teenagers, John, now 65, has never looked back, although as a maintenance worker his job does not involve flipping burgers.

He is responsible for the maintenance across three restaurants in Hastings, St Leonards and Bexhill.

He has also fitted out a new office for franchisee Dave Padmore and refurbished the staff rooms in all three restaurants.

He said: "When my 65th birthday came around I was a little concerned I would be asked to retire but I am delighted to be able to carry on working here for the time being.

"Running up to 65 you think you're going to retire and do this and that but I just find that I enjoyed doing it so much because my job's so diverse.

"I like the fact that when I leave work I do not go home to a mountain of paperwork and estimates like when I was a self-employed builder.

"This gives me the time to pursue my two great hobbies with my wife Ann - gardening and golf."

Mr Poole moved to the south coast from Horsham in 1988, seeking a relaxing life by the sea. But the company he worked for went bust so when Mr Poole saw an advert for a maintenance worker for McDonalds he jumped at the opportunity.

He added: "I was what you might call an odd jobs man and would be sent to fix things at restaurants as far apart as Brighton, Hastings and Tunbridge Wells.

"Things have progressed so much since I started, the changes in technology have been huge."

But it is not only the machines that have changed. Mr Poole has worked for McDonalds for longer than some of his colleagues have been alive.

He said: "You do see a lot of people come and go. I'll get youngsters coming in and recognising me but I'm not sure if I remember them or not, though it's always nice to see a friendly face."