by business editor Trevor Sturgess

A Kent recruitment firm has recalled the time it worked for Sir Norman Wisdom, the national comic treasure who grew up in Kent and died this week at the age of 95.

In the 1960s, when he was working around the clock as an A-list entertainer and film star, he asked the Ramsgate branch of Parkinson Staff Bureau to find a personal assistant to help him manage his busy schedule.

Betty Parkinson had founded PSB in Dartford in 1957, and in the 1960s, she was expanding her branch network across the county. It would later become part of HR GO plc, a multi-million pound recruitment business based in Church Road, Ashford, and run by her son Jack.

Sir Norman grew up in Deal and enjoyed close links with the county. So it was only natural that when he wanted a PA, the star would turn to a local firm and pop into the nearest branch. It was there that he met branch manager Betty Hubbard and told her the sort of person he was looking for.

Being a natural funny man, he could not resist some friendly banter with Betty and engaging in a bit of slapstick. Mr Parkinson, HR GO chairman, recalls what happened: "As I am sure we can all imagine, he was very different to the usual clients on their books but it was a very easy job to find candidates interested in becoming his personal assistant. He was extremely friendly and courteous to all of the branch team and always had a joke with them. He even had Betty modelling his trademark tweed cap, of course askew and peak turned up."

Mr Parkinson added that the personal assistant the firm found for Sir Norman went on to travel around the world with the star, often cooking for him, helping with fanmail, and making sure he was everywhere he should be at the appointed time.

HR GO spokeswoman Dee Weir said that unfortunately the firm had lost touch with Betty Hubbard who moved to Austria after retirement. "If anyone knows anything more about her, we would love to hear from them," she said. Dee can be contacted on 01233 722460.