An 80-year-old great-grandfather has been dubbed a “living legend” after working at a busy commuter railway station for more than three decades – and he has no plans to retire just yet.

Joe Foster works full-time and turns up whether rain, snow or shine for his shifts as a train dispatcher at St Mary Cray station.

He greets passengers with a smile as they climb on or off their carriage before raising his paddle board and blowing his whistle to tell train drivers it is safe to depart.

But after thirty years in the job Mr Foster, who has three children, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren has no plans to hang up his hi-vis jacket just yet.

Mr Foster, who lives near to the station and began his job on the railways in 1984, said: “I absolutely love my job.

“I love working with others and this role allows me to go out and help all sorts of people every day.

“Why would I ever want to do anything else?”

Mr Foster started out as an onboard train conductor at East Croydon but after talking to platform staff he realised he wanted to do a similar role and trained as a dispatcher.

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Mr Foster's original identity badge

He keeps fit by cycling to work whatever the weather to make sure he passes a yearly medical examination required for his role.

Mr Foster also swears by a Mediterranean diet, two garlic cloves, two teaspoons of olive oil and cod liver oil tablets daily.

Rail passenger Nick Sharp, a dad-of-three from Sevenoaks, said: “Joe always puts a smile on my face.

“He is a shining example that age is just a number, having a laugh with Joe is the best part of my journey. He really is a living legend.”

Mr Foster added: “After working here for such a long period of time, I know most of the passengers, talk to them each day and always greet them with a smile.

“In fact, I have heard that many call me a living legend, which is lovely to hear and always makes me laugh.”

Barbara Thomas, Southeastern passenger services director said: “We’re so proud to have Joe working for us at St. Mary Cray station.

“He does an exceptional job helping our passengers through the station.

“We look forward to having him with us for many more years to come.”