Jobseeker George Gibbs, 83, with his new boss, Pimlico Plumbers director Charlie Mullins

by Dan Bloom

dbloom@thekmgroup.co.uk

A determined job seeker has landed a plum job - at 83!

George Gibbs was desperate for work - despite being nearly 20 years over the retirement age.

But, thanks to a newspaper appeal, George, of Snodland, has landed a position with a plumbers.

The original story was spotted by a millionaire famous for hiring Britain's oldest employee - Buster Martin, who died in April aged 104.

Pimlico Plumbers boss Charlie Mullins, who has been on Channel 4 show The Secret Millionaire, said George would be perfect as a van driver at his London depot.

"Some of our plumbers live up near Medway and they brought the story in.

"i can't thank you enough. i'm like a pig with two tails!" – george gibbs, 83

"I thought it was marvellous. I was shocked this man could be looking for a whole year."

Long-term bachelor George, of Saltings Road, Snodland, met his new boss yesterday and said he was delighted.

"I'm over the moon," he said . "I can't thank you enough. I'm like a pig with two tails.

"It's about time we had more firms like that. Us single old boys work hard and you don't get any hassle."

The story appeared in the Medway Messenger and nationally.

George spent decades picking up work by driving around Kent in his van, which he had to scrap last March. Since then he was turned away whenever he mentioned his age.

His new employer has offered expenses for the commute to south London, which George said wouldn't be an issue.

"I'll go early, before the traffic," he said. "I'll try them out for a month but the hours shouldn't be a problem.

"If I could I'd work 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The money doesn't worry me. As long as I've got something to do, that's all I ever wanted."

Mr Mullins, dubbed Britain's richest plumber, is known for taking staff of a certain age.

He said: "They've got the right attitude, and there's no substitute for experience.

"I hope George's willingness to get a job will rub off on a lot of youngsters. It's doing the right thing, rather than living off benefits."

He added: "George could've been Buster's apprentice. He's a spring chicken compared to him!"