Snowy retires after shifting 1.5bn pints

Greene King has waved goodbye to one of its longest-serving employees - Derek "Snowy" White, who has retired after racking up 1.5bn pints during his 48 years at the brewery.

Snowy, who admits to liking a pint and is partial to "the delicious ale-soaked Suffolk Christmas puddings," will be fondly remembered by colleagues as a dedicated member of the draught beer warehouse, and respected for his conscientious work ethic.

Following his grandfather, grandmother and uncle, Snowy joined Greene King aged 15. He began working in the bottling plant and has since served in a number of positions including racking, shiving and, most recently, fork-lift driving.

Greene King brewing and distribution director Steve Magnall said: "I'd like to wish Snowy all the best for the future.

"Forty-eight years in the business is really showing some commitment!

"It demonstrates his dedication to Greene King - this is a man who has racked 1.5bn pints of beer!"

As well as his regular duties, Snowy worked on-call day and night for 20 years as part of the Greene King fire service. During his stint in the fire service he was part of the team that managed the 1980 sports centre fire and says he'd still know what to do in an emergency.

Speaking at his packed celebratory leaving party at Greene King's Brewery Tap, Snowy said: "After 48 years of service, I'm looking forward to having a rest, enjoying a Bury St Edmunds summer in my garden, and maybe taking in an afternoon film.

"I walked through those gates in 1959 and today I'll walk out of them for the last time."