Colleagues and customers at the Heart of England Co-operative Society turned out in force to say farewell to a popular member of staff who retired after 20 years.

Pam Holland, aged 60, of Stockingford, Nuneaton, was showered with gifts and treated to a party as she enjoyed her last day at the store in the town’s Abbey Street.

Pam, aged 60, came to the Society in 1989 after raising her two sons.

Even before that she had worked for the Society, twice, but left to have her children.

Pam, who lives with husband Bill, said: “I have enjoyed my time with the Society – so much so that’s why I kept feeling the need to return!

“In my time I have worked in many different departments at Nuneaton – starting on the brush counter which sold probably every type of brush you can think of – and moving on to wallpapers and paints, jewellery and other departments before ending up in ladies’ fashions where I have worked for 20 years.”

She added: “I will miss the place – my colleagues are lovely and the customers are too – but I am looking forward to spending my retirement doing up the house!”

Bryan Wheatley, General Manager Non-food and Travel of the Society, said: “Pam has always been a popular member of our team – not just among her colleagues and customers in Nuneaton but within the wider Society.

“She will be greatly missed here at the Society but of course we wish her well in the future.”