DAVID Wright's job is a load of old rubbish. For the past 40 years, the 57-year-old has been a refuse collector for Watford Council and last month he was presented with a long service award by Watford Mayor, Dorothy Thornhill.

It was given to him exactly 40 years from the day he started work for the borough.

Mr Wright has seen many changes over the years.

He said: "There have been different managers come and go, and people I have worked with have passed away.

"The job has got a lot harder because before it was just bins, now it is all black bags.

"There used to be eight lorries a day collecting rubbish from Watford, now there are only four, and all the time, the number of properties are increasing.

"But back in 1963 I used to be paid £14 and 10 shillings a week, now I get that an hour."

Born in Watford and educated at Field Junior School, in Watford Fields Road, and later at Victoria School, in Addiscombe Road, Mr Wright worked for WEMCO on Whippendell Road before joining the Evening News in London.

At his father's suggestion, Mr Wright joined the council and began work as a refuse collector. Over the years Mr Wright has had a few narrow escapes.

He said: "A few years ago the police stopped us on the North Western Avenue because a bank had been raided. My description fitted the robber and I was questioned. Luckily, other people vouched for me and said 'It couldn't be him'."

He continued: "Once a car hit the back of a lorry. Fortunately, none of us were standing near it. If we had that would have been the end of it."