'I've walked thousands of miles as a city ranger'

"I get recognised a lot. I'm definitely a face about town and there's no avoiding it."

Jon McKenzie has patrolled the streets of Derby for 16 years as a Cathedral Quarter Ranger and in that time has seen it all, from a visiting Queen, to helping a duck cross the road.

"I had to assist the police and ensure that Derby was fully prepared to welcome [the Queen]. We were looking down manholes and sealing them up for security reasons and on the day, I helped to control the crowd," he said.

The 44-year-old estimated he had walked more than 40,000 miles (64,374km) over his years in the job, which involves welcoming visitors and supporting local businesses, and he has now received a long service award.

"Lucky for me, I did catch a glimpse of [the Queen]," Jon said.

"This was an amazing start to my new job."

Jon said he used to clock up between 10 and 12 miles (16 and 19km) a day in the job using a pedometer, which he does for the Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District (BID).

He said: "The bread and butter of our job is business engagement. We're in and out of businesses all day talking to shop owners, to staff members, to members of the public, making recommendations, giving directions."

However, Jon said he had once been asked to help move a duck, which was in the middle of Corporation Street blocking traffic.

"Myself and a colleague had to essentially sheepdog this duck to the river, which wasn't an easy task," he said.

"I also get pretty much all of the calls pertaining to rogue pigeons."

When asked what his favourite part of the job was, Jon said "the variety" and speaking to business owners and members of the public.

He said his favourite spots in Derby included the Market Hall, Queen Street and The Strand.

"I get recognised a lot. I'm definitely a face about town and there's no avoiding it," Jon said.

"It only becomes awkward when I don't recognise the face that's talking to me. So many people, so many faces and names to remember."

The centre of Derby became national news at the weekend, after seven pedestrians were struck by a car in Friar Gate.

Jon said: "Obviously, it's very shocking. When we do have incidents like this in Derby it is big news, because, frankly, they're not regular occurrences.

"Obviously, being daytime workers, we weren't present for any of the actual incident, but our responsibility as we see it now is to focus on the business community, mainly in the wake of it, making sure everyone's alright, offering assistance to anyone that might need our help, and also potentially assisting with gathering information so that we've got as complete a picture of what happened."

Listen to BBC Radio Derby on Sounds and follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.