FOUR workers are celebrating 40 years together after sparking up a friendship as apprentice electricians.

County Durham Housing Group employees Robert Blackburn, Andrew Edwards, Neil Graham and David Howard now all fulfil their day-to-day duties within Group Property Services (GPS) – the organisation's repairs, maintenance and improvements division.

GPS’s technical manager, Mr Edwards, said: “None of us could have known when we started out as apprentices that we’d still be working together 40 years later.

“We began our working life together at what was then City of Durham Council back in 1976, so we’ve now got a combined total of 160 years’ service between us.

“So much has changed during that time; there are a lot of new regulations, more paperwork involved and loads of new technology.”

Electrical supervisor Mr Graham said: “I don’t think we’ve changed too much in 40 years though.”

County Durham Housing Group’s director of assets and regeneration, Ged Walsh, has congratulated the faithful four.

He said: “As someone who is relatively new to the group, it’s fantastic to recognise this level of progression and commitment within the organisation.”

Mr Blackburn continues to work as an electrician and Mr Howard is now a chargehand electrician.