Ellesmere street sweeper makes a clean break

For four years he went out in all weathers in the early morning to keep the streets of Ellesmere looking their very best.

But now street sweeper Michael Clorley, 62, is retiring after 24 years with the local authority. To say thanks for all his work keeping their town spick and span, traders clubbed together to hand over a gift and card. Lincoln McMullan, Ellesmere Chamber of Commerce chairman, said: "He will be sorely missed.

He's like an alarm clock and when you hear him passing by you know it's time to wake up. We all hope Shropshire Council keep the street sweeping up to the same standard in future.

"He has done such a good job of cleaning all our roads and pavements and emptying the bins in the streets. All the businesses in town are going to miss him."

Mr Clorley, who is married to Rosamund and has three children and six grandchildren, said he would miss the job.

"The council are going out to a private firm in future so I'm sad to be leaving because I've got to know so many people," he said.

"I will miss tidying Ellesmere up but at least my legs won't ache so much in the mornings. I'll miss all the chit-chat you get to hear when you're out and about, plus the leg pulling and teasing

"I plan to spend more time with my grandchildren and work on the garden at home, if my wife can get used to having me around all the time.

"She's not looking forward to it that much because she's going to have to put up with me being at home – but I'll try and stay in the garden as much as I can."

He said he had worked in a variety of roles for the council over 24 years, but started working in Ellesmere about four years ago.

Mr Clorley, from Wem, was presented with a small clock which is encased in enamel and has a picture of Ellesmere on the inside cover.

After the chamber made its presentation, some traders emerged from their shops to wish Mr Clorley a happy retirement.