Ref. 5966-25SHOP assistant Patricia Dennis will sign off of her till for the last time tomorrow.

Patricia, 60 from Wroughton, has been working in the Wood Street branch of Boots the Chemist for 32 years, but first began working for Boots in London when she was 15.

Retirement celebrations began on Thursday with a surprise party, where Patricia was presented with flowers, a bottle of Champagne and a retirement gift from the company.

She said: "I have seen six managers come and go since I have been here and I've had all sorts of different jobs working for Boots, working on just about every counter in the shop."

Patricia specialises in the baby and photographic departments at the Old Town store.

She is now looking forward to a slower pace of life and plans to travel around Europe with her husband, George, 65, who is also retiring this week.

Patricia added: "This party has been a complete surprise, I was really annoyed with myself because I turned up late this morning."

"I will really miss working here, everyone has been great to me, and when you have been working here as long as I have, everyone in Old Town becomes a familiar face."

Suzanne Hoskins, manager of the Wood Street Boots has worked with Patricia for three years, said: "It is marvellous that we have been able to celebrate Patricia's retirement, we shall all miss here greatly."