AFTER being inspired to become a cleaner by a Searchers album cover 25 years ago, barrow boy John Carr is still doing the same job today.

Mr Carr, 56, first started cleaning the streets of Witney in 1985, after joining a West Oxfordshire District Council apprenticeship scheme.

The Searchers fan remembers seeing a picture of his favourite band with a barrow and brooms on album cover The Pye Anthology 1963-1967, which spurred him to go for the job.

Later this month he will receive a certificate and cheque from his employers to say thank you.

Mr Carr, who has lived in Long Hanborough all his life, said: “It’s just a job but I like doing it. It’s quite an achievement to reach 25 years.

“Over the 25 years I have seen that Witney has got bigger and there is more rubbish.”

While three out of five street cleaners in the district now use motorised equipment, Mr Carr is one of the two “barrow boys” left.

He recalls when he first started his job, using a stick with a nail in it to pick up litter. He now uses a metal litter pick.

Mr Carr said: “I just get on and do it. I like getting out and about and speaking to people. People say good morning and I say good morning back.

“Some members of the public moan to me, but I do my best. I know some people look down on it, but a job’s a job, and people say I do a good job. Even when it’s raining, I still have to do it.”

He estimates he has gone through 100 brooms and 300 pairs of gloves in the quarter of a century that he has been doing his job.

And despite being diagnosed with brittle bones many years ago, Mr Carr, who walks with a limp, gets a bus each morning to start his eight-hour shift in the town at 6.30am for one week and 10am the next.

He empties his barrow up to six times a day during the summer and, as well as picking up litter, clears weeds from the pavement.

As well as Witney, Mr Carr, who enjoys going to the theatre in his spare time, has worked as a barrow boy in Woodstock, Charlbury and Eynsham.

Former Wood Green School pupil Mr Carr worked at Myrtle Farm, in Long Hanborough, when he left school, between 1970 to 1984. He was a dry stone waller for the district council for a year, before becoming a cleaner.

The bachelor who has two brothers, said: “I am conscientious and like to do a job well or not at all.”

Bob Lightfoot, district council environmental operations manager, said: “John has been a reliable and loyal employee and has worked tirelessly for the council.

“We congratulate him on his 25 years and long may it continue.”