103-year-old gardener is Britain's oldest worker

The retired farmer spends several days a week mowing, pruning, digging, weeding and trimming the third-acre garden to immaculate standards.

Great-grandfather Jim is believed to be Britain's oldest worker.

He has spent the past 20 years tending the lawns, trees and bushes behind The New Inn - and works for a self imposed-wage of just £3 per hour.

He arrives at the pub in all weathers on his own thirty-year-old Ferguson tractor carrying his tools - including a wheelbarrow, hoe, rake, spade, shears, lawn mower and chainsaw.

The father-of-two - who has never had a holiday in his life - says he intends to carry on with his horticultural duties until he's "too old for it".

Apart from a touch of rheumatism the green-fingered centurion's only grumble is a slightly sore arm - from pulling the lawn mower cord too hard.

He said: "I tried stopping work when I retired but I was so bored. Bored and miserable. I'd just sit in my chair doing nothing and looking out the window.

"I have to keep going because some of these youngsters about are a bit slack and need looking after.

"I've worked all my life and don't want to stop. I'll keep going until I don't feel fit any more.

"If I do feel tired I take a drop of whiskey. It soon puts me right in half an hour."

Jim spends around ten hours a week at the pub, in Stoke Abbott, near Beaminster in Dorset - and has seen off several landlords during his 20-year tenure.

Richard and Mary Ward, who have run the pub for the past two years, say their gardener is "simply remarkable".

Mary, 47, said: "We kind of inherited him. He just comes and goes as and when he thinks something needs doing.

"He's either mowing the lawn, trimming hedges, digging out tree roots or cutting back the bushes and never complains about anything.

"We only pay him £3 an hour because he says that's all he wants. We've tried to pay him more but he won't take it.

"To be honest I feel guilty half the time - he's so old and often will be out here in the pouring rain. But he won't stop. He's an amazing man."

Richard, 53, says his customers are staggered by Jim's energy and work rate.

He said: "He's certainly a hardy old bugger and will work for four to five hours at a time.

"He's always in the same outfit - jacket, trousers and a flat cap. I don't think he even owns any waterproofs.

"Some of our customers in their 50s and 60s sit in here moaning about their aches and pains while he's out there working with a chainsaw."

Born the son of a farm labourer in 1902, Jim worked for many years as a carter in the pre-car transport era - ploughing fields in the Chard area of Somerset.

After marrying his wife Dorothy in 1928 the couple moved to Stoke Abbott in 1933 and managed Manor Farm for a local farmer until taking over full time in 1944.

Jim ran the nine-acre dairy and crop farm until his retirement in 1975 aged 73 and remained in the farm cottage where he still lives today with his daughter Kathy.

The rest of the farm was sold off but Jim soon got back to work - helping farmers to lay hedges and tending the grounds of an old rectory owned by local aristocrat Lord Harmsworth.

Kathy, 68, said: "Father tried retiring but it lasted about three months and he was dreadfully unhappy.

"All he's ever know is work and has barely stayed in bed past 4am for 100 years.

"For a long time he only charged £2 an hour but now he's gone up by a pound because people told him he should.

"He just loves to work and can't sit still for a minute."

Widower Jim, who has two granddaughters and three great grandchildren, arrives at his various jobs on his blue Ferguson tractor, known locally as the 'Tin Pony'.

Until this year he used to carry out most of his duties alongside his brother Jack who died in July - aged 95.

Jim still has a full clean driving licence - which is not due for renewal until 2008 - and will turn 104 on Christmas Eve.

He said: "I'm not sure there's any secret to a long life - just hard work and lots of outdoors.

"Young ones today stay in too much - computers and bad food.

"They need exercise - only come in to sit down when it's time to eat with the family."