He enjoys the outdoor life and meeting his customers, who often live deep in the countryside, although it can be difficult finding them now that village shops and post offices are disappearing. Unlike some of his clients, he never uses dried sludge from the depot as manure. One couple took away countless sacks of the stuff for months. They are dead now, although their garden is as prolific as ever.

In Trevor’s experience cesspit men rarely last long into old age. Still, he has never had a serious illness or even a day off work – something to do with fumes killing off the germs, he reckons. He’s fallen into a cesspit occasionally, but only up to his thighs. And he’s had some foul stuff in his mouth after a blockage cleared suddenly.

Trevor says: 'If ever I fall ill, I carry a doctor’s note warning of the possibility of Weil’s Disease, the water-born infection spread by rats. This job should see me out, but it’s changed over the years. New health and safety byelaws restricting the use of soakaways have led to more sealed units, which require emptying every four to eight weeks, rather than once or twice a year. At almost £200 a go to empty a 4,000-gallon tank every six to eight weeks, that should come as a shock to any young couple moving out to the countryside.'