ONE of Hampshire’s longest serving caretakers as retired after almost 40 years at the same school.

Andy Gale, 58, has seen several generations of people pass through the 1,200-pupil Hounsdown School in Totton since he joined the staff in 1979.

Previous occupants of the post include his father Pete, who was appointed caretaker in 1969.

Andy said: “I didn't actually succeed my father but he was still a hard act to follow and I was only 21 or 22 at the time.

Daily Echo: Andy Gale as a young man pictured with dad Pete Gale (right) in 1980s.

“I’ve been at the school for 37 years, which is long enough. People I first knew as 12-year-old kids are now grandparents.”

Andy was guest of honour at a special end-of-term assembly at which staff described his four decades at Hounsdown.

“It was estimated that I’ve moved 1.8 million chairs since I first started working here,” he said.

“I’ve been invited to return to help with Christmas show this year and I’m hoping I’ll be asked to do so in the future as well.”

Andy is married with a daughter, Leanne, who went to Hounsdown and left in 2010.

“We had an agreement that we wouldn’t acknowledge each other if our paths crossed during the school day,” he said.

“My brothers also went to Hounsdown and had the same agreement with my dad.”

Andy worked in the motor industry before becoming a lifeguard at the old Romsey swimming baths, forerunner of The Rapids. He was working at Lydlynch Infant School in Totton when he was offered the Hounsdown post.

He has now landed a new job that involves working part-time for a friend.