Man, 82, retires after fixing church organs for 60 years

Brian Brighton has been working on church organs since he was 15

A man who kept churches across the country alive with sound of music has downed tools after more than 60 years in the job.

Brian Brighton, 82, from Belmont in Durham, began his career at local organ builder Nelson & Co as an apprentice back in 1956, aged 15.

This week, he returned to St Elizabeth Church at Minsteracres, near Consett - where he began his career - to service the organ one final time.

Speaking about his love for church organs, he told the BBC, they would have a place in his heart "for as long as I live".

Over the course of his illustrious career, Mr Brighton helped to maintain and repair organs across the UK - including those at Durham Cathedral, Carlisle Cathedral and York Minster.

For decades, he worked alongside his wife, Freda - who carried out the administrative work - while he would build, restore and service the organs.

Brian and his wife, Freda, have worked as a "team" for past six decades

"It's a bit like people who restore aircraft and motor cars - this is the same sort of thing," he told BBC Look North.

Although he never learnt to play the organ, he is able to play basic melodies to ensure it is in tune.

In some cases, he has even had to climb inside the instrument to make adjustments and repairs.

He summed up his role as "just getting the organ put right".

"You take it to bits and put it all back together, tune it and think that sounds good - and you've done your job."

But he said, despite still enjoying the repairs, it was becoming harder to do with age.

Mr Brighton helped to install the organ at St Elizabeth Church at Minsteracres, on the Durham and Northumberland border, more than 60 years ago.

As a result, he said, it would always be a "special place" to him, adding he was pleased to be able to mark the end of his career there.

Father Emmanuel Kabinga, of St Elizabeth's, says the church is "indebted" to Mr Brighton

Father Emmanuel Kabinga, who has looked after St Elizabeth's since 2022, said they would be forever "indebted" to Mr Brighton.

He said: "Brian is part and parcel of the life of the church. For the past 60 years, he has been maintaining the organ.

"Music is an expression of faith and communion... it's been an honour for us to today come back to Brian and say we are very grateful."