MARCHES forest worker Roger Morris' devotion to friendship is so strong he aims to work on into his retirement years.

The 64-year-old, from Baron's Cross, Leominster, should be getting ready to hang up his chain saw and take life easy at last.

But he reckoned it would be unthinkable for him to quit the Forestry Commission woodlands until his lifetime friend was ready to retire, too.

Roy Roberts (63), from Leintwardine, said he and his old chum had worked the woods together for the last 30 years.

He said he would have hated carrying on without Roger.

Roger, who became firm friends with Roy when they were at Kingsland Primary School, said: "We love working in forestry. It has kept us both pretty fit. I reckon there's a few good years left in us yet.

"The one thing we shall miss when we do have to go will be seeing all the people who come to enjoy the Commission's wonderful woods."

The two men are currently thinning out trees in Worcestershire woodlands, near Bewdley.

They complete around two hectares a month. Each week they remove about 25-tonnes of timber.

Commission area forester, Richard Boles, said: "Each tree has to be carefully selected. The remainder must have enough room to grow to maturity.

"In between the trees, Roy and Roger are creating new habitats for Wyre Forest's famous butterflies and their nectar-yielding food plants."

Mr Boles said the care his two most senior timber contractors took was extraordinary. They were playing a key part in shaping the woods for future generations to enjoy.