Farm worker David Pearce’s hard work has been recognised with a long-service award after 40 years at Manor Farm in Alton Barnes.

The 58-year-old, of Caird Lawns in Devizes, has worked at the family-run farm under four generations of bosses and was given the Royal Agricultural Society of England award by Devizes MP Claire Perry.

The father-of -four started on the farm under Guy Stratton and now works for his great-grandson Josh Carson.

Mr Pearce said: “It’s gone by pretty quickly, I don’t feel my age. I supposed all the different work keeps me interested. We started as dairy and then became arable, so it’s changed quite a lot.

“I wouldn’t have been able to do it without my wife’s support and her putting up with the late nights and early mornings and long hours. It’s nice to come home to a loving family.”

Tim Carson, who ran the farm before his son took over, organised a small gathering to mark the occasion with former colleagues, neighbours and Mr Pearce’s wife Gail.

Mr Carson said: “The Royal Show sadly no longer exists but when the other farm workers received their long-service award they used to go down and be given them by a member of the royal family. I thought it would be nice to do something.

“Some of the people that worked for my grandfather and my mum and myself left school even earlier and got a bar to go with their medal when they reached 50 years of service, but not too many of these awards are given out nowadays.

“We have a very good working relationship. We are certainly lucky to have him.”