Margaret James had always enjoyed visiting Gulliver's Kingdom with her son. So, when she needed to find a job, that was the first place she thought to apply.
That was in 2007 and, 15 years later, Margaret has never looked back.
"That was my first job since I got married in 1972. My son left school and I had to find a job and we'd been going to the park since 1993, when my son was two years old," Margaret, 67, said.
"We used to go two or three times a year. I always enjoyed it and the staff were always pleasant so I thought 'I'm going to apply to Gulliver's and get a job there'."
Margaret is a ride operator and trainer for new starters and typically works five days a week from March to October.
She operates a different ride each day, from the roller coaster to the pirate ship, and enjoys seeing families having a great time.
"It's a good atmosphere and nice people you're working with. No two days are the same and you're always meeting different people. There are also the families that come back year after year and they get to know you," Margaret said.
"Now I have guys who used to work here years ago coming in with their children. They say 'you're still here!' and I say 'yes, I'm still here!'."
Margaret, who is from Pinxton, a village on the border of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, says she would advise older people looking for work to consider a job with Gulliver's.
"I'd tell them to go for it, they'll never look back," she said.
"If you like the outdoors and talking to people, it's a really enjoyable business to be in."
Julie Dalton, managing director of Gulliver’s Theme Park Resorts, said: "Congratulations to Margaret on spending 15 years with Gulliver's. People like Margaret are so important to ensuring a trip to Gulliver's is a magical experience for the whole family.
"We have a range of roles available to suit different individuals and their lives, including seasonal work and opportunities for older people who want to work in a friendly, family-focused and fun environment."
For the latest job opportunities at Gulliver's theme parks, please visit: www.gulliversfun.co.uk
