AN Aldreth woman who has racked up 25 years service with retailer Marks and Spencer was thanked for her efforts with an exclusive champagne reception in London.

Jan Blackwell-Stein, 53, regional secretary for M&S Simply Food, started working for M&S in 1988, when the clothes rails were filled with lycra, leg warmers and shoulder-padded outfits.

Along with 88 other long-serving colleagues from across the UK, Jan was invited by M&S chief executive Marc Bolland to attend a champagne and canapés reception at the high street retailer’s London headquarters.

Jan was able to experience the event with her husband, Peter, before taking in a West End Show.

Jan said: “I’ve always loved my job and so this trip to London was the real icing on the cake after a wonderful quarter century. I never thought I’d make 25 years at M&S, but it feels like working with a big family and I’ve got to know some customers really well.”

The origins of the M&S long service celebration date back to 1918, when an employee was awarded a gold watch for 25 years service to the company.