Two sisters from Falmouth who have served customers at the town's Marks and Spencer for almost 60 years said their final farewells as they retired together last week.

Between them Dorothy Collins, 61, and Andrea Hancock, 55, have 57 years of service to their clientele, and the pair were given a special send-off by colleagues, with a collection of old photos on display to mark over half a century of service.

Dot has worked at the store for 35 years and started her career part-time to fit work in between her childcare commitments and never looked back. Andrea, is retiring after 22 years at the same store, having worked across both the womenswear and food departments.

The sisters have worked closely in the team, among many other long-serving members of staff, including another colleague who has worked at the store for 41 years.

Dot said: "I've got mixed emotions at the moment. I've been here a long time, more than half my life, and loved every minute of my career.

"I'm struggling to say goodbye but I'm looking forward to retirement with my husband."

Andrea added: "I knew when my sister was looking to leave I would be going with her. the whole store is fantastic, the way it is managed, is just the best place to work.

"I've enjoyed it, there have been some highs and lows but I'm going out on a high and I know it's the right thing to do."

She continued: "We've had colleagues and customers coming up and saying they're sorry to see us go.

"The customers are lovely and they look forward to seeing the same faces.

The sisters enjoyed a final day at the store last Thursday when they were presented with cards and presents from past and former colleagues and spent the afternoon having tea and lunch with everyone.

Now their first plans following retirement is to take a family holiday together, along with their families.

Dot said: "I'm quite looking to having some down time, and not getting up at 5am."

Jerome Browne, the store manager, said: “We’re incredibly proud to have such exceptional and dedicated colleagues at M&S Falmouth - Andrea and Dot have always gone above and beyond in their roles and always put customers at the heart of everything they do. They’ll be greatly missed and today has been an extraordinary trip back in time looking at how far the store and the Falmouth community has come over the last four decades.”