AFTER 40 years of painting the town's pubs, Graham Compton now has time to decorate his own home.

The 65-year-old, who hung up his brushes a fortnight ago, said painting his house would be his priority when he is not watching cricket.

He said: "It's the same old cliché - a decorator's house is always the worst in the street and mine is no exception."

He added that the job originally came about thanks to the Swindon Advertiser.

Mr Compton worked as a painter for Arkell's Brewery ensuring the interiors and exteriors of the pubs around the town remained in good shape and changed with the times.

The father-of-two and grandfather-of-five felt now was the perfect time to retire and indulge in his love of watching cricket.

Now only an avid spectator, the sports fan had returned from playing in a football match for Pinehurst in 1968 when he first heard about the job.

He said: "My wife said there's a job in the Adver you might be interested in, so I cycled to the brewery and within 10 minutes of hearing about it I had the job."

Mr Compton, who describes himself as Pinehurst born and bred, had previously painting coaches at the railway works until it was closed down.

At that time there were 50 pubs to be maintained, Mr Compton thinks there are now around 106.

"I've never regretted it. It's the best job," he said.

"Painting and decorating is a cut-throat business. You have to worry about whether there is a job next week.

"That's the biggest worry for a painter or decorator - it's pretty competitive.

"This job was never-ending so I never had to worry."

He also enjoyed the camaraderie that comes from working alongside other painters.

"It's a nice little group going around from pub to pub," he said. "You get quite friendly with the landlord and then you move onto the next one."