Northwich-based business Roberts Bakery’s logistics co-ordinator Mike Dutton has retired following a 53-year career at the firm.

Leaving the company at 71 years old, Dutton joined Roberts Bakery at the age of 16 as part of the vans’ sales team and has undertaken roles as a wholesale supervisor, dispatch manager and morning goods manager.

Dutton said he was looking forward to a well-earned retirement.

“I’ve been really lucky to work with some fantastic people and have enjoyed my time at Roberts,” Dutton said. “It’s a real family business that looks after people, which is rare these days. There are many people I will miss seeing, but I am looking forward to my retirement and spending more time with my wife and five grandchildren.”

Lindsay Occleston, family member at Roberts Bakery, said that Dutton was a terrific asset in many areas of the business.

“Many people at Roberts will miss him and I would like to say a huge thank you to him for all his hard work over the years,” Occleston said. “There are so few businesses that have such a long heritage and genuine family values, and even fewer which have loyal staff who have served for more than half a century.”

Dutton has passed on his passion for Roberts Bakery to his son Mark Dutton, who works for the business in slicing.