Who says that fish and chips aren't good for your health?

Mal Jackson, 60, York's longest-serving ambulance technician, has retired after 36 years without a single day off due to illness and he puts his healthy record down to his favourite dish - Yorkshire fish and chips.

"I've never had a day off in 36 years and I put it all down to my regular weekly bag of fish and chips," said Mal, who was born in York, joined the then City of York Ambulance Service in 1964 and spent his entire career at the ambulance station in Dundas Street.

"Things were pretty primitive in those days," Mal recalled. "We drove Bedford ambulances with a top speed of about 65mph. "We didn't have sirens, just a warning bell bolted on the bumper and a blue flashing light on the roof."

He added: "I've enjoyed every minute of it, but there comes a time when you have to call it a day. After all these years I know I'm going to miss the staff and patients."

Ambulance personnel chief Ray Walker said: "Mal's is a truly stunning record, particularly in a job like this where, with its physical and mental demands, sickness can take it's toll.

He deserves our heartiest congratulations. I wish I could claim a record like that - maybe I don't eat enough fish and chips."

newsdesk@ycp.co.uk