Bin there, done that; STOCKBROKER GIVES UP HIGH LIFE TO BE A DUSTMAN.

Byline: JO MERRETT

A YEAR ago Jonathan Blair-Sloan earned pounds 100,000 a year, drove a top-of-the range Land Rover and partied with his peers on board luxury yachts.

Today the former stockbroker can be found collecting rubbish off the streets of West Dorset for just pounds 4 an hour.

But the father-of-one says he has no regrets.

"I've been here five months. The work's all right and I quite enjoy it. It took a bit of getting used to. For the first three weeks I was shattered every night. I've never done anything as physical as this.

"You can be running continuously, as far as nine miles a day, and lifting huge, heavy bags of rubbish."

Jonathan, who lives with his Polish wife Katarzyna and their young son, also Jonathan, became a refuse collector after losing his job.

He was determined to carry on providing for his family and turned to a recruitment agency for help.

"The first agency I went to said they were only offering labouring jobs. I thought it was only going to be for a few weeks and I didn't mind, so I agreed, and they sent me to this job at West Dorset Services," he says.

At first Jonathan,31, was apprehensive about what his new co-workers would think. He said: "On my first day I was more nervous than if I'd been doing a presentation in front of 20 people. When I arrived, I don't know how, but everyone seemed to know who I was. I think they thought I wouldn't stay the distance. They have big, tough Royal Marines who don't last and, although I've always gone to the gym regularly, I was nowhere near as fit as a marine."

Although the early rise is no hardship - Jonathan used to get up early to watch the Asian money markets open on the internet - the kind of work he's doing has been an eye-opener.

"You can see people looking at you when you're a bin man," he says. "The look on their faces says it all. The general public looks down on you, and in their eyes, you're nothing.

"I'll admit at first I was a bit embarrassed to tell my friends. But that's ridiculous. The disposal of waste is a responsible matter and these men do a great job. They get pounds 5 an hour. I get pounds 1 less because I'm temping but they should be on pounds 20,000 a year. They are paid by the Government but I know people in government jobs who don't work anywhere near as hard.

"Being a refuse collector is a really demanding job, they have to pick up the most disgusting things. I've even had to pick up needles on the street, yet they all do it for a pittance."

Despite the hard work Jonathan admits he enjoys the comradeship among the men.

"They make the best of their job, having a laugh while they're out on the streets and they've made me feel very welcome."

Manager of West Dorset Services Derek Caddy said: "We get all sorts through our doors, but I couldn't believe it when Jonathan said he was a stockbroker. I am full of admiration for him because it is a tough job."

Jonathan admits he hopes one day to return to what he knows best - the money markets - but in the meantime he is happy in his work.

"I think it's something everyone should do. It's certainly given me a different perspective on life and one that I value very much."

CAPTION(S):

MARKET MAN: Jonathan Blair-Sloan; STREET LIFE: Jonathan today Picture: GEORGE PHILLIPS