IT MAY be pouring with rain, with lorries thundering past belching black fumes, but "Prince Harry of Ghana" says he's the happiest man on earth.
"I love my job. Too much!" he said, sitting on a chair at the junction where Purley Way meets Waddon Way.
Harry Okaine is dressed in huge sunglasses, a floppy hat and holding a board directing passers-by to the New Era Metal Recycling Ltd's scrapyard on the industrial estate.
He is there from 7am to 5pm Monday to Friday, and has become a mainstay for commuters and traders with his enormous grin.
"I came here from Ghana – I am Prince Harry from Ghana," he said, as yet another van rushes past, the occupants honking their horns and waving.
"In 2001 I came here and found work. I have five children and a wife at home and I wanted them to have a good education.
"I send money back to Ghana so they can all go to school. Now my three oldest are at university.
"My oldest daughter is studying fashion, my oldest son is doing computing and technology and one daughter is training to be a nurse. After they finish I want them to come here and study, even if the fees are £9,000 now."
Mr Okaine, who lives in Greenside Road, said he has not seen his family since 2003.
"But what can you do? It was so important that there was money to pay for their education. I was a bus driver in Ghana and my wife worked in the market; it would never have worked," he explained.
"People always ask me, 'How are you so happy all the time?' I say to them, 'God has given me five beautiful children and a wife. He has given me a job and a house and food and money for my family."
But there have been difficult times and business has not always been good. He said: "Two years ago we had a recycling yard but it burnt down. That was very painful. Then the company started the scrap yard.
"I used to walk about – up and down this road with my board – but now another person has joined and I have been sitting in this spot for three months. It's worth it.
"I miss home but this is something I have to do. I speak to my family twice a week but they have got older without me there.
"I like Britain. There is security here and I feel like people are kind.
"Whether the rain is pouring or the sun is shining, you have to be happy!"
