A SENIOR salesman, who has worked at Ridgeons almost 50 years, has been rewarded for his dedication, knowledge and constant good humour after picking up the company s outstanding achievement award. Dick Pinning won the company s Matt Taylor Award for outs

A SENIOR salesman, who has worked at Ridgeons almost 50 years, has been rewarded for his dedication, knowledge and constant good humour after picking up the company's outstanding achievement award.

Dick Pinning won the company's Matt Taylor Award for outstanding achievement, with an unprecedented number of nominations from co-workers across the group praising his work ethic.

Mr Pinning said: "I was gobsmacked to receive the award, but very honoured and proud to accept."

Despite poor health in recent years, Mr Pinning has played a big part in the running of the builders' merchants' March branch, and colleagues both new and old voted for him as most deserving of the award.

He joined Ridgeons in 1958 when the company had just two branches, in March and Cambridge. He has seen the company expand to the 20 branches it currently has today.

He has lived in March his entire life and for 27 years served on the town's retained fire service, serving at one point as leading fireman.

Paul Rogers, director of Ridgeons, said: "I've known Dick for 27 years and I've never known anybody with a work ethic that sets such an example to others, particularly in the last few years during his extreme periods of illness.

"Dick has always been conscientious, extremely loyal and very well known in the area, qualities which Ridgeons has benefited from, and people look up to him as a role model."

The Ridgeon Group presents the award annually to recognise the achievements of an individual who has excelled in their commitment to the company. It was set up in 2004 in memory of Ridgeons worker Matt Taylor.