Bored pensioner Joe Bartley lands job after work plea

A bored 89-year-old who put an ad in a paper saying he wanted a job has been offered work at a bar and restaurant.

Ex-serviceman Joe Bartley from Devon made headlines around the world with the plea in the Herald Express, saying he was dying of boredom and wanted a job.

Kate Allen from the Cantina Kitchen and Bar in Paignton said: "Not many people are that pro-active, let alone an 89-year-old, so I could not let him go.

"I liked him straight away when I spoke to him on the phone."

For updates on Joe Bartley and more stories

She said Mr Bartley, who is due to start work on Sunday, would be clearing tables and helping with other tasks.

"We're really happy to have him," she said.

Mr Bartley said he had been very lonely since his wife Cassie died two years ago and described living on his own as "solitary confinement".

"The first thing I did when I heard about the job was pour myself a stiff drink," he said.

"It's been a whirlwind in the past couple of days."

Mr Bartley, who served in the 6th Airborne Division after World War Two and later in the Royal Engineers, said he missed his active life.

"Most importantly the job will mean I'm out and about meeting people," he said.