WHEN you're at the checkout and you hear the beep, think of the fun you could be having with….Michael Chisnall!The Ipswich cashier is today proving a real hit in the workplace - just a few days before he celebrates his 80th birthday.

WHEN you're at the checkout and you hear the beep, think of the fun you could be having with….Michael Chisnall!

The Ipswich cashier is today proving a real hit in the workplace - just a few days before he celebrates his 80th birthday.

He is being hailed as a shining example of the value older workers can bring to society.

Mr Chisnall, who is a cashier at the Upper Brook Street branch of Sainsbury's, has gone down well with the people he serves.

Claire Collison, a customer services assistant at the town centre store, said: “We borrowed Michael from the Hadleigh Road branch of Sainsbury's, but he was so popular with the customers, we would not let him go back.

“He has worked with us for two years now. He is very well known with the customers as he ran a newsagents at the bottom of Berners Street and also ran a post office with his brother.”

Mr Chisnall joined Saisnbury's as a meeter and greeter but was trained as a cashier at the tender age of 74.

Age Concern Suffolk, which relies heavily on older people to run its services, has welcomed the positive impact Mr Chisnall has had in the workplace.

Maggie James, fundraising officer for the charity, said: “It is wonderful that there is an 80-year-old man working at Sainsbury's.

“We don't want businesses to discriminate because of age because they have great value with their experience.

“It is also good for young people to see older people working.”

The charity has over 600 volunteers, many of whom are older people, and Mrs James said it would not be able to run some of its services without them.

She also spoke out against any age discrimination.

She added: “We actively encourage people to keep active. It has many social benefits as it keeps them mentally and physically active. Once they retire they can often feel quite isolated.

“A lot of older people do struggle on a pension with the cost of living, so it can have financial value as well.”

Do you know someone who is working well past their retirement age? Write to Your Letters, The Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.

Sir Winston Churchill was re-elected prime minister in 1951 when he was 77 before resigning four years later.

The Queen is still going strong on the throne at the age of 82.

At 80, Bruce Forsyth continues to entertain millions on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing.

England footballing legend Sir Stanley Matthews was the oldest player ever to compete in England's top division when he took to the field at 50 in the 1964/65 season.

David Attenborough continues to thrive in far-flung environments as a BBC wildlife presenter at the age of 82.