HE has served more than 20,000 breakfasts, given 100 teenagers their first job and won countless awards.

Now one of the best known figures in Hampshire’s tourist industry has retired after almost 20 years in charge of the Nurse’s Cottage in Sway.

NURSE’S COTTAGE FACTFILE

• Formerly The Bungalow, the Nurse’s Cottage dates from 1909.

• For many years it was home to Sway’s district nurses, after whom five of the bedrooms are named.

• Tony’s many awards include Best Britain in Britain (2000), Best Breakfast in the South (2005) and Southern England Breakfast Champion (2009).

Former radio presenter Tony Barnfield, 62, has handed the business over to Carol and Andy Cottingham and is moving to East Anglia.

Described as a restaurant with rooms, the Nurse’s Cottage serves breakfast and dinner and provides overnight accommodation.

Tony founded the business in 1992 and won his first award the following year.

Outstanding customer service, a 100-bin wine list and a determination to provide locallyproduced food have all been honoured over the years.

Tony’s previous career in broadcasting began in 1969, when he made his Radio 1 debut at the age of 20.

Moving to Sway in 1987 he scaled down his presenting activities and opened the Nurse’s Cottage as a “B&B with optional evening meal”

in 1992.

Tony also served as a Group Scout Leader for several years and in 1998 a chance remark by Cub Scout Joe Tang inspired a youth employment policy that resulted in the Nurse’s Cottage giving 100 teenagers their first job.

Some stayed for several years including Nick Elliott, who is now head chef.

Tony said: “There’s a lot of good to be found in our youngsters, contrary towhat many people think. With a little nurturing almost any youngster can make a positive contribution to a business and thus, in the long run, to the local community.

“All the awards we have gained over the years have been very satisfying.

“But I hope the legacy I leave the New Forest will be that more employers go out of their way to give employment to local young people.”