An octogenarian who is still a chairman and director of companies say it is all about “having an interest.”

Bart Robinson, 89, who is a director of Daniel Robinson and Sons and is a chairman of Glasscox Properties, has no plans to retire anytime soon.

He stepped down as chairman of funeral directors Daniel Robinson and Sons, which has branches in Braintree and Halstead, in July last year after more than 30 years at the helm.

When asked why he had never retired, he said: “You have got to have an interest haven’t you.

“You vegetate if you don’t.

“I pop my nose in all the offices now and then.

“When there is building work to be done I stick my nose in.”

His grandfather, Daniel Robinson, set up his company, which was initially called Daniel Robinson JNR, in 1892.