Norman the gentle Shire horse will be honoured with a This is Your Life-type presentation at his big retirement bash on Saturday.

But the 17-year-old will carry on doing the job he loves right to the bitter end this week.

And although he will not receive a gold watch from his Bradford Council bosses, Norman will set off for his retirement home with a huge supply of his favourite mixed-grain food.

The 19.1-hands-high grey, thought to be Britain's biggest working horse, is doing his normal tasks this week.

But his many fans will be able to say goodbye to him at Bradford Industrial Museum on Saturday when he will be the star of the day.

Norman will finish his working life by pulling the tram giving youngsters their last ride on Saturday.

Some of Norman's memorabilia will also be auctioned to raise funds for the horse retirement centre in Barnsby, Lincolnshire, which will be his new home. He has won the heart of thousands of families since he was bought by the museum from Whitbread's brewery in 1992.

Keeper of horses at the museum Neil Hinchliffe said: "He will be sadly missed. He has been very useful."

He said Norman would be difficult to replace but the two young Clydesdales who were his successors were doing well.

The half-brothers were christened Angus and Murdoch after the Telegraph & Argus invited readers to submit names. Seven-year-old Katie Whelan, of Clayton Heights, who won the competition, met the handsome pair when she spent a day at the museum with the horses last month.

Norman's colleagues Henry, 16, and eight-year-old Noble will carry on working with the new apprentices who are receiving special training.

It includes pulling the dray which waters hanging baskets in the city centre and giving rides.