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'I'm 81 but I've no plans to retire yet'

Paul O'Gorman
BBC News, Lancashire
Paul O'Gorman/BBC Head and shoulders image of Janice Robinson standing in the store. She is smiling, has glasses and short white hair. There are striped shirts in the background.Paul O'Gorman/BBC
Janice Robinson said the favourite part of her 40-year-career was helping customers

A landmark store's longest-serving employee has said she has no plans to retire despite turning 81.

Janice Robinson has worked at the clothing and homeware retailer Matalan's first store, on Holme Road in Bamber Bridge, Preston, ever since it opened in 1985.

She started as an assistant to its founder, John Hargreaves, before moving to front-of-house.

Janice said her favourite thing about her 40-year career had been helping customers find what they were looking for, adding she had "never" come close to leaving.

Paul O'Gorman/BBC Outside the Matalan store - a large glass fronted warehouse with red framing and products and advertising images hanging in the windowsPaul O'Gorman/BBC
The retailer's first store opened in Bamber Bridge in 1985

Janice said: "When I first stepped in to see the first store, it was like an aircraft hanger and I thought, 'how are we going to fill this":[]}