A huge crowd gathered at the town hall on Thursday to say goodbye to Chippenham Museum and Heritage Centre curator Mike Stone.

The 63-year-old retired from his post after ten years last week and is looking forward to relaxing and writing his next two books.

At the end of his last working day around 170 friends enjoyed a This Is Your Life-style presentation in his honour.

Assistant curator Paul Connell said: “Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the presentation, which was very entertaining.

“The whole thing was very well received and we have had a number of responses of thanks since the event.”

The history of Mr Stone’s career was put together by administration officer Julie Shore and creative apprentice Ellie Bowden.

Mr Connell said: “I think it is very sad for the town council and the museum that Mike is leaving, and I have personally thoroughly enjoyed working with him and the creativity he brings to the museum.

“I am delighted that he will have free time to pursue his historical, archaeological and a wider range of interests and, of course, he will still be associated with the museum as he is now on our education panel.”