LIGHTHOUSE keepers may have become almost an extinct breed in the face of automation but their affection for the job remains undimmed.

Such is the case with Neil Hargreaves who was finally made redundant while serving on the Dorset coast at the Portland Bill light - and promptly formed the Association of Lighthouse Keepers.

"I knew redundancy was inevitable but I loved the job and could not just walk away from it," said Neil. "It was a way of life."

"I saw the association as a means of keeping in touch with ex-colleagues as well as interesting more people in lighthouses."

He has certainly done that. His group has grown in leaps and bounds, becoming international, publishes a quarterly journal, the Lamp, and is increasingly regarded by Trinity House as custodian of the long and fascinating history of UK lighthouses.

"We started off with just keepers and other people in the service wanting to join and then the general public showed such interest we decided to open it to everyone," said Neil. "We now have member in 13 different countries."

The next move it to establish a museum and study centre to encourage further interest, not only in lighthouses but other coastal and inland aids to navigation. Portland Bill, alre-ady the country's most visited lighthouse, has been considered as a possible site for this but not found to be practical. The search goes on.

For details contact mem-bership secretary Joy Adcock at 2, Ansell Close, Hatherley, Cheltenham, Gos GL4 5DY (tel 01242 226 860.) Contact the website at http://www.lighthouse.fsnet.co.uk.