ADVENTURE Island’s CEO proved "there's life in the old dog yet" as he ditched the suit and tie for a day of hard graft working as a ride operator.

Philip Miller MBE, owner of the Stockvale group and Adventure Island CEO, is one of Southend’s most prominent businessmen.

In 1976, the Miller family purchase land west of the pier and developed the amusement park on the site and extensively redeveloped the theme park which had started off as a sunken gardens, a with a few children's rides in the 1920s.

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Taking a break from running the Stockvale group, which also owns Sea-Life Adventure, Mr Miller went back to his routes working the American Whip ride.

“It’s been many years and has brought back a lot of memories,” he said.

“This is my first day back on the rides in about 35 years.

“There is nothing like going back to the floor, I really enjoyed myself so much that I’m going to start making a habit of it.

“It’s good to show the young ones there’s life in the old dog yet,” he added.

The company is currently in the midst of a big recruitment drive.

James Miller, a director at Stockvale, said: “We are in the middle of recruiting 300 new staff for the Easter period and we like to bring our big guns out to help out.”

Offering words of wisdom for those wanting to sign up, Philip Miller said: “It’s not about what you can earn, it’s about what you can learn.

“If we get stuck at 299 new staff members, I will happily take that last place and be the 300th and work the rides,” he quipped.

Adventure Island is hosting a recruitment event at the Park Inn Hotel on Saturday, March 18.

A spokesman for the firm said: “For anyone that is 16 or over, finished GCSE’s and officially left school this could be for you.

“If you can’t wait to apply you can today as we are still booking in interviews and inductions!”

To apply, visit: www.adventureIsland.co.uk/recruitment