RETIREMENT is often when workers gratefully turn their backs on decades of toil and put their feet up.

But for one Hampshire pensioner it has seen her take on a whole new lease of life - as a barmaid. Doris Mabbott will be 80 on Thursday. But the soon-to-be octogenarian's working days are far from over.

She spends every weekend behind the bar at her daughter's pub The Rockingham Arms in West Wellow. Drinkers young and old flock to her for a chat - and to seek advice on their love lives.

A hip replacement a decade ago fleetingly confined Doris to the sidelines. But she soon tossed her crutches aside and was back where she was happiest - pulling pints.

"It's my therapy. I've always been busy. I didn't like it when I had nothing to do," said the dynamic great-grandmother, who spent the war ordering spare parts for Lancaster bombers.

"I love meeting people. The young ones come with love problems. Whether they take any notice of what I say I don't know.

"I had a hip replacement 10 years ago and for six months I wasn't allowed to do much. But, as soon as I could leave my crutches behind, I was back behind the bar.

"I can't do the heavy carrying. But if I can keep my memory and can crawl about, I will stay."

Doris, of Pilgrims Park, Ringwood, has her doctor's blessing to continue: "He said it was good for me. I'm sure what happens with a lot of people is, once they are in a home, they haven't got a proper interests and just go stale."

Daughter Wendy Broomfield, who runs the pub with husband Paul, said: "She was 70 when she took up bar work. Now she runs round everybody else.

"It's given Doris a new lease of life. I have an awful job trying to keep her away when she's unwell.

"She's very well-liked by young and old. All the youngsters tell her their stories - everyone seems to open up to her."

Husband Bill, 80, to whom Doris has been married for 57 years, does not spend his time resting on his laurels either.

He helps out in the pub's restaurant every Sunday lunchtime.

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