Window cleaner hangs up squeegee after 66 years

An 83-year-old window cleaner who has cleaned off his squeegee for the final time after more than six decades of work has said he will swap ladders and buckets for the swimming pool to keep his fitness up in retirement.

John Leigh started cleaning windows at the age of 17 when he joined his uncle's business and has spent 66 years working in the Hale and Bowdon areas of Altrincham, Greater Manchester.

He said he enjoyed the job and even two knee replacements and cartilage damage to his feet did not stop him climbing ladders right up until his retirement earlier in December.

He told BBC Radio Manchester it had been "difficult to call it a day" but he would continue cleaning his own windows.

Mr Leigh, who took on his uncle's business, said much had changed since he started in 1959, with one highlight being swapping "heavy wooden ladders" for aluminium alternatives.

He said in his early years, he balanced his job with the demands of playing semi-professional football for Northwich Victoria.

"I was about 26 when I started that and I used to train two nights a week," he said.

"I used to work on a Saturday morning and I'd be playing on a Saturday afternoon.

"I've done a lot of work on my body."

Mr Leigh said retirement had been a difficult decision but he knew the "time had come".

"It's difficult to call it a day because when you're working and you're older and then you stop work, you might lose that body strength if you don't do anything else," he said.

"I've decided I'll do a bit of swimming to keep up my body strength."

Mr Leigh also said he was looking forward to spending more time with family, as he and his 79-year-old wife Ann had four children, 12 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, with a 17th great-grandchild expected in April.

"I've got to spend a bit more time with the wife now - but I've had a good run and it has been great," he said.

"I loved the job.

"I enjoyed the physical side of it, I enjoyed it being out in the fresh air, and meeting people - it was fantastic."

Mr Leigh said he has received well-wishes from many loyal clients, including some who had seen him clean their windows for half a century.

"The customers have been fantastic, honestly," he said.

"Someone came round with a card the other day, thanking me for 40 years of service.

"And a lot of people have come around and had a chat with me - because it's a long time, isn't it?"

He added that he had no plans to fully retire though.

"I've still got my levels," he said.

"I'll still be up the ladder cleaning my own windows."

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