STAFF at Asda's Blackburn store said farewell to their personnel manager on Saturday as she looked forward to an early retirement after a career with the company which spanned 18 years..

Mrs Frankie Heaton had previously worked at Asda's Preston stores before coming to Blackburn five years ago.

Past and present colleagues attended a buffet and colleagues from the store presented her with a DVD player.

New personnel manager Janice Bell said: "She mde many friends among the workforce and will be very much missed."

Mrs Heaton, from Preston, is now hoping to spend more time enjoying her hobbies, which include gardening and walking.

She is pictured with one of her many leaving cards and the obligatory bottle of champagne, which is always used to grace such occasions.