Britain's oldest worker, 102 year old Buster Martin, met Prime Minister Gordon Brown at a Government reception at Number 10 Downing Street to mark National Older People's Day.
Once inside Number 10 the centenarian, who still works three days a week as a van washer at Pimlico, took the opportunity to urge the PM to ban UK firms from forcing older workers like himself into retirement at 65.
After meeting Pensions Minister Mike O'Brien, at another Whitehall function earlier in the day, Buster arrived at Number 10 in style for his appointment with the PM, aboard Pimlico's 1951 Fordson van. Police officers checked his credentials but quickly waved London's most recognisable pensioner through the famous door.
During the two hour reception the PM thanked Buster, and his fellow guests, for the great service they have given to the country.Buster repaid Mr Brown's praise with a bottle of his own ‘Buster's Best Bitter', a limited edition beer, brewed especially for his 102nd birthday. But despite the auspicious occasion Buster couldn't resist the letting the PM know exactly what he thought about current UK law, which allows companies to sack older workers just because they have reached the age of 65.
Buster told the PM "There are thousands of older people just like me, living in this country, who possess a huge amount of experience and expertise.
"And to take away our ability to continue making a contribution to the economy, especially giving the aging population, is plainly absurd, and in many ways is little short of discrimination."
Despite the spirited exchange the pair parted good friends, posing for photographs inside Number 10, before Buster was chauffer driven home by colleagues, so he could get a good night's sleep ahead of another day's work keeping Pimlico's fleet of vans clean.