It's been 40 years since David Morris started work at Cinderford' s Ensor butcher's shop.

He was just 15 years old when he began working at the Market Street store on April 4, 1971.

Originally from Soudley, David has lived in Cinderford since 1977. In the early days, he worked under Mr and Mrs Bob Ensor and then under John Harris for 30 years.

He said: "We're a family business – both my wife and my daughter work for Ensor's.

"In 1971 Mr and Mrs Ensor came down to my school asking if anyone wanted to work for Ensor butchers. I volunteered and got sent down for an interview. A week later I went down there to see the premises on Friday and started working there on the Monday afterwards.

"When I first started working here there was a different layout. It was like a different shop compared to what it is now. We had pigs hanging up covering the entire wall behind what is now the meat counter, which is now illegal.

"In those days being a butcher was easier and not as much hassle. There were more customers compared to now, as people go to the supermarkets instead.

"Having said that, people still prefer to come here rather than the supermarkets when they want something special.

"I enjoy meeting the customers and the banter the most – the highlight of the job for me has always been meeting the customers and I thank them all.

"I know the majority of the faces as we have a lot of regular customers in the shop."