A painter is looking forward to a picture perfect future when he retires from the Wombourne firm where he has worked for almost half a century.

But decorator Michael Kingston is not ready to hang up his brushes just yet and plans to use his retirement to turn his hand to watercolours.

The 64-year-old from Walsall was taken on by painting and decorating contractors Bagnalls as an apprentice in August 1959 – 24 years after the firm was established – and has been there ever since.

He has worked at many of the region’s landmark buildings including the NEC, Aston University and Cadbury’s in Birmingham.

But after almost 50 years with the Heath Mill Road firm, the decorator is ready for a well-deserved rest.

Mr Kingston, who retires next Friday said he had enjoyed working at the firm because of the people he had met and exciting projects he has worked on.

Fond memories include painting the outside of the listed Pavilion building for Cadbury’s, for which he received a national award.

“The places that you see and the people that you meet, you just wouldn’t if you worked in a factory,” he said.

The grandfather, who lives on the Coppice Farm estate with wife Doreen, has a keen interest in watercolours and oils. “I’m going to carry on painting, it’s in the blood but I will be taking things a little easier,” he added. Bagnalls branch manager Jamie Buchan said: “Mick has been an outstanding employee. He will be greatly missed.”