Asda’s longest serving employee, Lisa Bezkorowajnyj,has retired after 51 years of service.

Lisa, who was born in Bolton started work at the Bolton supermarket in April 1971.

Most of her years have been spent on the grocery section although she has also worked on occasion in the Asda Cafe.

Lisa thanked Asda for her happy years of service and remembered the laughs she had there.

She said: "I have enjoyed all of my 51 years. I have seen a lot of changes and met a lot of people. The days have been filled with lots of love and laughter.

"Thank you, Asda, for all of my happy years of service."

Hayley Tatum, Chief People and Corporate Affairs Officer at Asda said: "Congratulations to Lisa as she celebrates her retirement.

“On behalf of all your fellow colleagues at Asda, I’d like to say a massive thank you for a staggering 51 years of service. It’s an incredible achievement and we are proud of how you’ve looked after and served our customers at Asda Bolton for over half a century – enjoy your well-deserved rest.”

Well wishers also congratulated Lisa on Facebook saying:

Catherine Cunliffe said:" Well done Lisa. Happy retirement. You will not remember me but I remember you when you came in the hairdressers on Bradshaw Brow .
I wish you all the best in your retirement."

Colleagues from the Bolton Asda are holding a celebratory afternoon tea at the store with Lisa on Wednesday, November 2.

The store's community champion, Christine Baldwin, said: "We want to wish Lisa all the best in her retirement. We will miss her and 51 years is such an impressive milestone, she deserves a fantastic send-off."

Store manager David Taylor, who's been at the store for four years, said: "We'd like to thank Lisa for all her hard work and dedication.

"Working for 51 years in the same place is pretty remarkable. Everyone here, both colleagues and customers alike, will miss her. We're very proud that Asda's longest-serving colleague was based at our store.

"Lisa's done a lot of walking to and from work so she said she's just going to put her feet up now."