Eight employees at Greencore's Atherstone factory are celebrating a 'tremendous milestone' after clocking up 25 years working at the food-to-go manufacturer.

Production manager Louise Guild, low risk manager Richard Cunningham, production operative Brenda Hatton, despatch operative David Turner, operation operative Lynda Challis, goods-in stock controller Dawn Ford, supply chain planner Karen Mortimer and canteen operative Tina Sheldon have all worked at the site since the year it opened a quarter of a century ago.

Some - like Louise - started at the factory almost from the very first day of operation.

Louise was just 16-year-old when she joined and, over the last 25 years has not only got married and had two children, but also moved up through the ranks to become the dayshift manufacturing manager.

The company had planned to hold a whole-site celebration to mark the special occasion.

But coronavirus restrictions meant a much smaller scale, socially-distanced boardroom event, attended by the senior leadership team, had to be organised instead.

Although it did come as a complete surprise to the eight colleagues who each received a £250 shopping voucher, 25 years' service lanyard, framed certificate and celebratory cake.

Greencore's Atherstone site general manager Nick Davies, who spoke of the importance of the colleagues' work and what they have achieved at the event, told Atherstone Nub News: "We are delighted to see eight of our colleagues reach this tremendous milestone.

"They have made a vast contribution during their 25 years with the company and we are immensely lucky to have them as friends and colleagues.

"We thank them for their years of service and loyalty and look forward to continuing to work alongside them in the years to come."

The Atherstone site is currently recruiting and has more than 30 vacancies available across a range of roles.