TWO Huddersfield women have celebrated 40 years service with retailer Marks & Spencer.

Pam Aylward, 58, and Julie Taylor, 56, began work at the town’s New Street store in 1973 – when flared trousers and platform boots were all the rage.

They joined 88 other long-serving employees from across the UK at a champagne reception in London.

Pam, of Kirkheaton, and Julie, who lives at Longwood, were invited to the event at the company’s headquarters by chief executive Marc Bolland.

Pam took along a fellow colleague and Julie attended with her husband, Steve. They enjoyed champagne and canapes before going on to a West End show.

Pam, who works in the administration team, said: “I’ve always loved my job, so this trip to London was the real icing on the cake after 40 wonderful years.”

Julie, who works in the food team, said: “The best bit about the job is seeing customers who’ve been shopping with us since we started – they feel more like friends than customers.”

Pam and Julie were among 12 employees celebrating 40 years’ service – but there were also 77 M&S staff who attended the event having notched up 25 years.

Sacha Berendji, M&S director of retail, said: “M&S has a loyal and often very long-serving workforce, and we’re proud to recognise and celebrate milestone achievements when our employees reach 25 and 40 years’ service with the company.”