A TAUNTON worker has just celebrated 45 years with the same firm.

Nigel Quick's long career was marked with a long-service award from Roadchef chief executive Mark Fox.

Nigel, a member of the team at Taunton Deane Motorway Service Area on the M5, joined the company in 1976.

Back then the services were very different and the site was served by the A38 as the motorway hadn’t been built and consisted of a main building with just a small shop and single restaurant.

Nigel started out as a forecourt supervisor, in charge of ordering the fuel for the garage, and he moved to be in charge of maintenance on the site.

His true talent lies in DIY, where he has saved the company a fortune on repairs with his ability, knowledge and determined attitude to keep the site looking tip top.

He has honed his handyman skills over the last four and a half decades by embarking on numerous projects at work.

Some of the tasks he has taken on at Roadchef include building the site director office at Taunton, as well as the commercial office on northbound and the Coach Costa on southbound.

But his biggest achievement is building the current gaming design template which is now used across the business.

Nigel said: “I can’t quite believe it’s been 45 years.

"I’ve made some great friends and memories over the years and thoroughly enjoy my job at Roadchef.

"Things have certainly changed a lot over the years but it’s great to be recognised and be part of a company that values its staff.

"I look forward to many more years with the company."

Mr Fox said: “It is talented and dedicated people like Nigel that make Roadchef the successful company that it is today.

"We can’t thank him enough for his passion for the business, ability to take on any DIY task that is thrown his way, and for constantly improving the Taunton Deane service area - without him, the site would look very different, and we are incredibly grateful for everything he has done for the business."