A GRANDFATHER who helped keep Lancashire lit up during the miners’ strike blackouts of 1972 has called time on a 50-year career.

David Carter said he was ‘scared stiff’ when he left Nelson Grammar School and started an apprenticeship with the Electricity Board as a 16-year-old in 1962.

Over the last half a century he has seen the organisation change name several times and has had to adapt to improve-ments in technology and procedures.

He worked his way up to construction engineer, connected the British Aerospace substation in Samlesbury.

But he said his biggest challenge was making sure electricity was switched back on across the North West during the power cuts of the early 70s.

David, 65, who lives in Reedley with his wife Alice, said: “The world has changed a great deal since I started.

"I’ve seen the Electricity Board go through many stages, becoming Norweb, then United Utilities and now serving the public as Electricity North West.

“The consolidation of its services and technological advances over this time have been great – and I’ve been proud to be a part of the company’s history.”

After retiring earlier this month, David, who has two child-ren and a grandchild, now plans to volunteer with the East Lancashire Railway.

Stephen Potter, Electricity North West’s major projects delivery manager and David’s boss, paid tribute to the one-company man.

He said “David is well known throughout our Lancashire offices and field employees.”