Glasses were raised in honour of David Turner, as the man responsible for turning around the fortunes of the formerly derelict Wymondham train station bid farewell to friends and colleagues.

During a leaving party at the station on Wednesday he was praised by Jeremy Savage, chairman of South Norfolk Council, who presented the retiree with a certificate in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the area.

Mr Turner announced last month that he was handing over the lease of the historic building after 23 years in which he saved the ageing unoccupied station from the bulldozers and transformed it into a national award-winning attraction – best known for its popular Brief Encounter tea room. He plans to continue his piano tuning business from his home in Ashwellthorpe and dedicate his time to voluntary and fundraising projects in his home village and at Wymondham Abbey.

New owners Simon, Kate and Jenny Pilgrim are due to take over on February 14 and will reopen the restaurant as Station Bistro on March 1 following a two-week closure.

Mr Turner said he had 'immensely enjoyed' his 23 years.

'It seems funny that I'm going to retire because although I'm an old age pensioner I do not feel it. The tears have not come to me yet.'