AN AMBLESIDE man has been awarded with a medal after working at the same garden centre for 40 years.

Paul Crossland started working at Ambleside's Hayes Garden World in 1979 when he was 16 and now the 58-year-old has been recognised by the Royal Horticultural Society for his 42 years of service.

He has received a 'Long Service' medal and certificate from the society, which were both presented by Hayes Garden World director, Martin Capell.

Martin is the grandson of co-founder Leith Hayes, who had hired Paul when he asked for a job during the Easter school holidays in 1979, and added to a special occasion for the Hayes employee.

Paul said: "It was quite a surprise the other week, when we were all called into the shop thinking it is just a normal staff meeting and I was handed the certificate and the medal.

"It was a bit of a shock, with everybody there, I just like working at Hayes and get on with the job, take each day at a time, so it was a nice shock."

With eight years to go until half a century, Paul has revealed whether he plans to rack up 50 years at the garden centre.

He said: "Well 50 would be good, I will see how long I can carry on.

"There was a financial manager who managed to do 50 years at Hayes and he received a medal for it, so it would be a good milestone to reach."

As part of his role as a plant buyer, Paul travels across Europe visiting countries including Belgium and Italy acquiring products for Hayes.

He added: "I still get a buzz of unloading the stock I've bought and seeing what people think about the plants."