Ulverston's workers gather with a combined 2000 years of service in 1993

Three years previously the first two get-togethers had been held for staff with 25 years' service of more.

The party in 1993 was for employees who had reached their quarter century with the company since 1990.

Managing director Dr James Kennedy, himself a 30-year plus man, was on hand to help factory manager Dr Tony Sherrard welcome the guests.

"Glaxo would not be where it is today, the number two pharmaceutical company in the world, without the solid dependability and loyalty of its long-serving staff," said Dr Kennedy.

"And it was the big expansion in antibiotics in the years since the 1950s, in which Ulverston was very heavily involved, which formed the platform for our current success. I want to thank you all on behalf of the Glaxo Group."

In 1995 a former deputy head boy at Dowdales School in Dalton was named top apprentice at Ulverston's Glaxo Wellcome factory.

Paul Fagan, 19, of High Duddon Close, Ireleth, was the Ulverston factory's 27th Apprentice of the Year.

A third year instrument technician apprentice, Paul joined the company from school with some impressive GCSE qualifications and had since acquired a Btec Certificate in electrical engineering.

At that time on the first year Btec Higher National certificate course, Paul hoped to gain his certificate before completing his apprenticeship in September 1997.

He also had a NVQ Level II in mechanical assembly and another in electrical assembly and was working towards NVQ Level III.

The award consisted of a plaque and an engraved wrist watch which were presented to Paul by site director John Musgrave.

Paul also received a letter of congratulations from the widow of former Glaxo director Herbert Palmer. The award was named after Mr Palmer and was handed out annually to the best apprentice.

Accepting the award, Paul thanked his instructors and everyone involved in his training.

A sea fishing enthusiast, Paul owned a 16ft Orkney long liner, which he kept at Askam.