Pictured above: Derek Sproston receives a commemorative retirement plaque from Hartshorne aftermarket director Mark Baker 

Midlands-based truck dealer Hartshorne's has marked the retirement of one of the region's most respected truck parts salesmen. Derek Sproston has retired from Hartshorne's Shrewsbury depot after 25 years service.

Derek, aged 65, was nicknamed the "parts terrorist" by customers because of his persistent but good natured pressure selling of truck parts. 

He began his career with Hartshorne as a travelling parts representative, having moved there from Truckparts. Later he transferred into the Shrewsbury-based retail parts depot.

Derek's former manager Tony Williams said he will be sorely missed by customers and work colleagues.

"He was extremely well known from Shrewsbury to the North Wales coast. He had a great rapport with customers and is a real character. He's a bit of an eccentric and became known for putting pressure on customers to buy parts in the nicest possible way, and was exceptionally good at his job," he said.

Derek, who lives in Wildwood, Telford with his wife Sue plans to spend his retirement indulging his passion for vintage Russian motorcycles.

The family-owned Hartshorne Group - with its headquarters in Walsall - is the Volvo Trucks agent for the Midlands, with 11 depots across central England. The company also distributes Hino Trucks and Lawrence David trailers throughout the region as well as providing truck and van maintenance, body shop repair facilities and driver training.