AFTER serving thousands of cuppas during a 27 year career as an assistant in a cafe Margaret Entwistle has hung up her apron.

The 58-year-old from Great Lever completed her last shift at The Market Cafe at Bolton's indoor market, Ashburner Street, before retiring due to ill health.

"It's upsetting," she said. "I shall miss the girls. The place has been a part of my life. There have been some big changes, especially when the market was re-vamped." It is the end of a long working career, which also included a stint at the Octogan Theatre's cafe

The cafe manager, Mrs Ann Knowles, said: "She was a very loyal worker and always very reliable."

There will be many cafe regulars who will miss her friendly manner.

But at the weekend, it was Margaret's turn to be served, when they had a big night out at a local Italian restaurant to celebrate the retirement.