WORLD class swimmer Tony Catterall kept his feet firmly planted on dry land yesterday as he joined friends and colleagues to mark his retirement from Pendle Council.

Tony, 50, of Alkincoats Road, Colne, with 28 years service, was the longest serving member of the council's leisure services department.

He recently came third in his age group in the 400m individual medley in the world swimming championships which featured past and present Olympic swimmers, including Duncan Goodhew and David Wilkie.

Tony started his career with the council in 1968 after leaving the Merchant Navy. He began as a pool attendant at the former Colne pool in Midgeley Street and held a number of different positions during his time there, including swimming teacher. In 1974, when Pendle Leisure Services took over the running of Colne Baths, Tony was made a supervisor and since then he has been involved in the supervision of West Craven Pool, Barnoldswick, and Marsden Park Open Air Pool, Nelson. He joined the management team at Pendle Leisure Centre in Colne when the town's former baths closed in 1991.

Colleague Ann Meachem said: "Tony has been an asset to the management team within leisure services and always strived to look after our customers."

Over the years Tony has won numerous swimming awards and has been a member of Burnley Bobcats for the past 20 years.

Tony, who swan three miles on the day of his retirement, plans to keep up his prowess in the water.

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