A HEREFORD dental technician has downed his tools for the final time after almost 60 years in the trade.

John Duggan, 75, left school at 15 and worked at Aero Parts in Hereford in an engineering role before joining night school and becoming an apprentice dental technician for Edward Powell in 1959.

The training involved making dentures, crowns, bridges and orthodontics and, after eight years, he became a senior technician.

He said: "Then, in 1978 I had an opportunity to go into business on my own at a laboratory at Brighton Villa on St Owen Street.

"I stayed there until 1997 then moved to Friar Street and in 2005 I moved to Bastion Mews and that's where I have been to this day. We are quite a rare breed in Hereford [dental technicians] – there's not many of us."

Mr Duggan has worked for a number of clinics and surgeries in Hereford, as well as for members of the public.

He said: "The best part of the job has been meeting the public and also meeting the challenges. Things have changed over the years but the materials have improved. There's a little bit of CAD technology creeping in now.

"I think sometimes you get very challenging jobs and it can be very difficult to deal with some of them so that was a challenge in itself – getting the result. It is a craft. And you weren't allowed to make a mistake, ever."

Mr Duggan's wife Helen has been by his side much of the way, dealing with a lot of the office work. They have three sons and six grandchildren.

But he won't be getting too much rest following retirement.

"I actually teach martial arts at the leisure centre – I'm a six degree black belt in Aikido," he said.

"And I'm also a member of Herefordshire Wheelers Cycling Club and have an allotment. So there's plenty to keep me busy."