After 42 years, planning assistant Michael Farman is forsaking the drawing board for more time at the keyboard.

Michael joined Great Yarmouth Borough Council in 1965 as a trainee planning assistant. He qualified in 1970 when he also did a four-year spell with Lowestoft Borough Council before returning to Great Yarmouth.

In the 1960s five planning assistants shared a room which was practically wall-to-wall with large drawing boards, with intricate plans coloured by hand to conform with town and country planning rules.

In these days when some people feel unable to take a step without their mobile phone, they may wonder how five people could share one office telephone for internal calls and just one for external.

In 1989 the department faced the prospect of moving into the 20^th century and becoming computerised, this went well with a great deal of input from Michael.

"Retirement will see me having more time to devote to the keyboards and guitar I play with dance band Galaxie," he commented.

On Sundays he steps into different musical shoes when he is the organist at Ormesby St Margaret church.

As part of his farewell to the Council, Michael met Mayor Paul Garrod who congratulated him on his long service and wished him a happy retirement.