A RAILWAYMAN who has collected a mountain of metal for a guide dog charity has been honoured by his firm for putting people first.

Central Trains employee Alan Fish was honoured with the Outstanding Customer Service Award at the train company's annual Superstaff Awards 2005 this week.

The honour recognises people in the company who consistently provide high standards of customer service.

Alan, who is an operations team member at the firm's Worcester depot, will celebrate 50 years service on the railways in November by taking well-earned retirement.

As well as a valued team member helping to keep the trains spick, span and on the tracks from Worcester, Alan has dedicated himself to charity for nearly as long.

He collects aluminium, which is recycled to provide funding for guide dogs.

So far he has been responsible for picking up everything from tin foil bottle tops to aluminium cans to support the charity - and now colleagues and customers contribute to his efforts.

Over the years he has collected metal worth £8,000, which has funded three dogs.

"It started in 1957 when I went to the aid of a blind boy who had walked into a pillar at the station. We got chatting and he said he was hoping one day to get a guide dog," said Alan.

"From the on, I began collecting silver foil and milk bottle tops, then cans. Now drivers, guards and even passengers hand me bags of cans and I get about £500 a ton for the metal we collect.

"Each guide dog costs around £2,500 so it takes around four years to pay for a dog. I'm hoping to pay for at least two more."

Presenting Alan with his award this week, Steve Banaghan, managing director of Central Trains, said: "These awards are about outstanding customer service, but clearly Alan has also shown the same care and compassion he puts into his job with his charity work.

"We are very grateful for the great contribution he has made to the railway over the years - and also congratulate him on his charity work."