THE owner of a Rossendale cafe who has lent a sympathetic ear to residents for almost three decades has served her last cuppa.

Freda Clegg, who runs the Koffee Kup, in Waterfoot, is retiring today, and -- to say thank you to her customers -- the 60-year-old held a party for her regulars.

The event, held at the cafe, in Bacup Road, yesterday, featured a poem written by Freda's husband, Keith, chronicling life at the cafe.

Freda, who took over ownership of the cafe from her mother-in-law in 1977, said Waterfoot has changed considerably during her time at the shop.

She said when she first started working there 28 years ago there were a lot more factory workers in the town, but she said a new generation of regulars is coming through the doors.

Freda said: "People who came in as children are now coming in with their children.

"It is just like everybody's front room. Everybody comes in, and we have had some real characters in here.

"You can come in here with your problems and leave with a smile on your face."

The cafe, which has been visited by celebrities, including ex-Brookside actress Nicola Stephenson, will keep serving cuppas after being bought by a local businessman.

Freda, who turns 61 on Sunday, plans to take things a bit easier in her retirement, but said she would miss her customers.

She said: "I am going to take it easier and spend a bit of time with my husband and have a few nice holidays that we have not had time to take before.

"I am just going to sit back, but I have been here a long time and I am going to miss everybody.

"After 28 years I am going to hang up my pinny. It is the end of an era."