A GARDEN centre is celebrating a special staff member as she reaches an impressive milestone.

Pat Clavet-Thomson is getting ready to celebrate her 90th birthday – and will finally be hanging up her scanner at Hayes Garden World in Ambleside.

She has been a ‘cornerstone’ of the retail team at Hayes for an incredible 39 years, touching various aspects of the business with her dedication and expertise.

Throughout her career, Pat has made significant contributions across many areas but she is perhaps best known for her work on the tills.

Retail manager Martin Capell said: “Pat loves to work! She has come from an era where hard graft is the only way, and she has just kept going."

Pat now plans to enjoy her nineties with her friends and family.

Mr Capell said: “Many of our customers and colleagues, both current and former, will fondly remember being greeted by her cheerful demeanour and warm voice—a voice that has become somewhat legendary.

“Her presence has always brought a sense of comfort and familiarity to our store, and she will be dearly missed.”

at chose to carry on working for a few hours two days a week because she enjoys seeing customers, many of whom she has known for several years.

Mr Capell said Pat has known some of their regulars for decades and now considers them friends.

He said: “Our team loves Pat dearly and she almost feels like the grandma of Hayes."

Pat shared her advice for all the young people who have just received their A Level or GCSE results.

She said: “Work hard and enjoy what you do. We are all at work too many hours in our lives not to enjoy our jobs."