GENERATIONS of sweet lovers have reason to mourn the retirement of Betty Watson this week.

Mrs Watson has been involved in stocking the pic 'n' mix counter at Woolworths in Redcar for 30 of her 45 years working at the store.

Mrs Watson, of East Redcar, began life as a Woolworths shop girl aged 15 and has never left.

She rose to become staff manager at the store but decided to take a back seat a few years ago and devote herself to the sweet counter.

"It's still chocolate, things like Mars Bars, that are the favourite all these years on," she said. "I started out on the electrical goods counter when I was 15. Back then everyone would stay by their counter all day. It's all totally different now. This shop opened when I joined but has been changed so many times, it's like a different place.

"It's amazing how many customers remember you and then there's all the people I've worked with. I've made such a lot of friends and now I'm looking forward to my leaving do, at last."

Mrs Watson's husband, Keith, retired 18 months ago. The couple intend to spend more time walking and on other outdoor pursuits and Mrs Watson is looking forward to working on her garden.