A DAY at the office turned into rather a special occasion for managing director Mavis Gradwell.

To mark her 25 years with Altham-based uniform firm Simon Jersey, bosses arranged a string of surprises including sending a stretch limousine to take her into work and an afternoon of entertainment provided by a Billy Fury lookalike!

"The years have literally flown by and I have gained great satisfaction and excitement from seeing this company grow from small beginnings into the globally successful organisation it is today," said Mavis who joined the firm with a dual role of secretary and sales manager in 1974.

She was made a director in 1986 and took over the helm in 1996.

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