A jobseeker aged 83 who found work thanks to the Medway Messenger was set for his first day today.

George Gibbs, of Saltings Road, Snodland, was taken on by London firm Pimlico Plumbers after boss Charlie Mullins read George's appeal last Monday.

Mr Mullins, who appeared in Channel 4 show The Secret Millionaire and employed Britain's oldest worker at 104, gave George a job as a van driver.

Bachelor George, who said he would work for "24 hours a day if I could", will have his fuel expenses paid by the company.

George, who left school to start work at 14, was working as a self-employed van driver until last March. Then he had to scrap his van and spent more than a year looking for work.

He told the Messenger: "Most people say no as soon as they hear my age."

Mr Mullins said: "I hope George's willingness to get a job will rub off on a lot of youngsters."