Between them they had 50 years of loyal service with Vince an employee for 30 years and Beth 20.

Vince gave valuable service to the firm as a plant operator while Beth was ‘girl Friday’ as secretary-office manager.

“It is like the old Shirley Bassey classic ‘people who need people are the luckiest people alive’,” employer Bill Henry said.

“Both myself and my brother Peter consider ourselves extremely lucky to have two such loyal people as Vince and Beth.

“It is not often in this day and age that employees stay so long with the one firm.

“Nothing was a trouble for them and handled their respective jobs as true professionals.

“They are both popular workmates within the firm and will be hard to replace and we wish them well in their retirement.”

Vince and Beth enjoyed their retirement party at CJs Restaurant where a number of speakers spoke in glowing terms of the pair.

The guests of honours said the Henrys had been great employers.

Both are looking forward to putting their feet up and spending more time with their families and enjoying the freedom of retirement.