THE driving force behind one of Southampton's greatest business success stories officially retired at midnight last night.

Andrew Kent, 57, handed over the reins to 53-year-old Doug Morrison at the city's port, which is owned by Associated British Ports.

The port generates an estimated £1.6 billion every year for the local economy, providing direct and indirect jobs for up to 16,000 people.

As port director, Mr Kent transformed the docks into a major player in Western Europe.

Prior to his arrival in 1989, ship owners were wary of berthing here because of costly union disputes.

Mr Kent persuaded them that Southampton would provide competitive, swift turnarounds.

It is now the cruise capital and top vehicle-handling port in the UK, with record volumes of trade with deep-sea container ships.

Mr Kent said: "I would hope to be remembered as someone who made a real difference, for the better, to the lives of the people in my own community.

"Maybe I've done at bit of that, and, if so, that would be enough."

Full interviews with both men have been carried previously in the Daily Echo.