A CROWDED courtroom rocked with laughter today when tributes were paid to retiring usher John Mason.

John, one of the best loved and longest serving ushers at Liverpool Crown Court, has hung up his gown after 23 years service.

Known for his impish grin and keen sense of humour, John has served four circuit judges as well as Recorders, and not infrequently left them stifling laughter by delivering his cheeky one-liners just before taking them onto the Bench.

At a heart felt farewell ceremony all the QE11’s current judges, as well as two retired ones, were present in court along with barristers, solicitors, court staff and members of John's family, including his two daughters, Nicky and Adele and the eldest of his three grandsons, Silas, seven.

Judge Robert Warnock, whom John has been looking after for the past five years, described the 71-year-old as “a true legal legend in his own right” and gave a humorous tribute, during which he related John’s pithy description of a grossly obese defendant as "a salad dodger."

He also referred to the fact that he has been affectionately depicted in three legal pantomimes, including 101 John Masons, and barrister Andrew Downie then suddenly appeared reprising the role of John he has played in those shows, and to great hilarity wandered around the courtroom muttering to himself and accusing John of being “an imposter”.

Responding to the tributes, John, who lives in Higher Tranmere, described his time at the court centre as “wonderful” and thanked his colleagues for helping him cope after he lost Sheila, his wife of 46 years, almost three years ago.

John got the job after being made redundant from GEC on the East Lancashire Road and having then decided against using his History degree to go into teaching.

A keen follower of politics he now plans to spend more time with his grand-children.