A long-serving RSPCA animal centre worker has left after 17 years to become a farm manager.

Steve Carpenter worked as the deputy manager at the RSPCA Lancashire East animal centre in Altham since 1998 and left earlier this month.

Jeanette Ainscough, animal centre manager, said he is ‘really going to be missed’.

She said: “We worked alongside each other for 17 years and got to the stage where we relied on each other. It’s going to be very strange not having him here.

“He is going to be really missed. There are a lot of people over the years that have dealt with him and are very fond of him.

“He became part of my family really and used to spend Christmas with us sometimes because his family were so far away.”

Speaking about the reason for his long service, Jeanette said: “I think it’s just the love of animals, doing it for the animals and making sure they are cared for. That’s certainly my case and I’m sure it is Steven’s too.

“We also have a pretty amazing team here of animal care assistants and receptionists.”

Steve, originally from Derbyshire, will now work as a farm manager in Cheshire.