A GRANDAD who spends his days going up and down has decided to end his working life at the top.
Alan Ismay, 66, pictured, took the helm of the Saltburn Cliff Lift for its last trip of the season and of his 11-year engineering career.
The former customs officer, who lives in Marske, went for a part-time job to stop him getting under his wife Patricia's feet.
He said: "I took early retirement 12 years ago, and decided I still wanted to do something else.
"I applied for a job in the museum first, but was told about the interview for the cliff lift and went to that."
Tyneside-born Alan, who has lived in the Tees Valley since 1970, said he loved working on one of Teesside's most famous landmarks, which this year has transported 99,904 people the 207ft from the road to the promenade.
The water-powered lift was built in 1884 and these days charges 65p each way, 35p for concessions. And over-65s who live in the borough of Redcar and Cleveland travel for free.
But Alan said this wasn't always the case: "It used to be a penny to go down, but then tuppence to get back up!"
The engineer estimates more than one million people have been transported in his cars over the 11 years. In spite of this vast number, there are still a few folk who stick in his memory.
He said: "We had a woman once who was in a wheelchair and on oxygen, but she was desperate to get on to the pier, and she got down - that was courage.
"And shortly after I started, some prankster put detergent in one of the water tanks so we had soapy suds everywhere."
For the time being, Alan is helping with the winter maintenance of the lift, and will be involved in the process of choosing his successor.
But he admits giving up the job of transporting people won't be easy.
He said: "I've got two golden retrievers, and am a taxi for the grandchildren, but despite that lot keeping me busy I may pop back to do a bit of relief work."
Alan was congratulated for his service by Sheelagh Clarke, Redcar and Cleveland Council culture, leisure and tourism cabinet member.
She said: "I can't think of a nicer and more worthwhile job and I'm sure Alan will miss it."
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sald to see this lovely man retire he always has a smile on his face and always talks to the locals a wonderfull man
well donee grandad :D
xx