Staff at a village store near Rugby bid a fond farewell to a popular colleague who retired after more than a decade meeting and greeting customers.

Sue Staniforth, aged 63, was showered with flowers, gifts and cash on her last day at the Heart of England Co-operative Society’s Lateshop in Crick.

It was the end of an era for the mother-of-two and grandmother-of-nine who has served the shop’s customers with a friendly smile as both a Sales Assistant and Store Supervisor since her first day 13 years ago.

Sue, who plans to spend her retirement with her partner Bernard Smith, said although she had enjoyed her time serving at her local shop, she was looking forward to some well-earned time off.

She said: “We have a great team at Crick and I shall really miss the girls. But now definitely feels like the right time to retire. Bernard has a Harley Davidson and we are looking forward, if the weather is nice, to taking it out in the summer.

“In the meantime, I will still be popping into the shop twice a week to do my shopping. And if the kettle’s on I will still stop for a cuppa with the girls every now and again.