A chimney sweep who has kept Ryedale's home fires burning safely for the last 15 years is appealing for someone to replace him - so he can hang up his brushes for good.

Lionel Dixey has been sweeping the district's chimneys since 1986, but at 68, with a bad back and a hernia, he wants to retire.

"Doing this job you've got to be very friendly with people - with the old age pensioners you have got to spend time talking to them," said Mr Dixey, who lives in Kirkbymoorside.

"Anyone taking this job on shouldn't think they are going to get 20 chimneys done in a day, because they won't."

Mr Dixey moved to Ryedale from Essex when he was promised a job in agriculture.

But when that job fell through he borrowed a set of brushes and set to work.

If he retires without finding a successor Mr Dixey is concerned he will be leaving the 900 customers he helps every year in the lurch.

"A lot of my customers rely on me and some don't see many other people, so it's nice for them to have someone to talk to," he said.

Updated: 11:05 Thursday, May 24, 2001