A RETIRED north Hampshire farm worker received an award from the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE).

Victor Fox, 82, worked at Weybrook Farm, in Sherborne St John, for 60 years.

And to mark this achievement and as a way of saying thank you, he received the RASE 60 Year Long Service Award.

Victor started working at the farm in 1950, firstly for Arthur Hatt, who ran the farm and then for his son, Harold.

Victor, who still lives on the farm and keeps an eye on things, was presented with the surprise award at a Hatt family gathering.

“I was very proud to receive the award,” said Victor, who feels like he is part of the Hatt family.

“I have been working on the farm since I was 10-years-old.

“I used to go milking before and after school and at weekends. I’d get 10 shillings a week. I gave half-a-crown to my mum, I’d keep half-a-crown and I put half-a-crown in the bank,” he recalled.

Victor was still working on the farm until the end of last year as a herdsman and tractor driver.

“I still go down and have a look round the cattle,” he said.

Harold said: “Vic came to work at Weybrook Farm when I was eight-years-old.

“For many years he was involved in milking the Friesian herd and rearing the young stock, including pedigree Hereford Bulls destined for the society’s shows and sales.

“When the dairy herd ceased, Vic enjoyed looking after the Herefords that we continue to breed today.

“He has been a consistent and dependable presence at Weybrook and still likes to get out amongst the cattle and maintain an interest in the Weybrook herd of Herefords.”