COLOURFUL York traffic warden George Goodair, single-handedly responsible for booking more than 400,000 vehicles in his long career, has received his ticket to retirement.

George, 65, whose irrepressible humour has made him a legend on the streets of the city, has survived attacks, a barrage of insults and even death threats to earn his pension.

As York's longest-serving traffic warden, George has spent 26 years on patrol, gaining a reputation as the father figure of staff based at York's Clifford Street police station.

Acting Inspector Neil Stickland said: "George has been here far longer than any of us.

"We always joke that he's become part of the street furniture in York - along with the bus shelters and lamp- posts. He is a character, always good company and we're all going to miss him."

George, of Copmanthorpe, aims to spend his retirement working in the city he loves as a volunteer guide.

But the man who once wrote out a ticket for a vacuum cleaner leaves behind a catalogue of anecdotes.

Favourite bookings also include Prince Philip's aunt's car and an enormous Scotsman whose wrath George nimbly avoided by tickling his wife's funny bone with a silly walk, then making a dash for it.

However, even after being run over, threatened with knives and - during several encounters - having to flee from would-be assailants, George says he doesn't regret a day.

"I have been bashed, threatened and knocked down.But there hasn't been a single day gone by when I have not had something to smile about. And at the end of the day I am still smiling."

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