STAFF at a charity shop in Worcester have paid tribute to their long-serving manager who retired after more than two decades.

Barbara Moore, aged 65, of Upton-upon-Severn, worked at the St John’s British Red Cross shop in King Charles Place for 23 years.

She was given a send-off at the Bell Inn, St John’s, by friends and customers and was showered with gifts including a bouquet of flowers and a bracelet charm.

Joy Grinnett, assistant shop manager, said: “It was nice. All the volunteers got together. It’s lovely to see all of them. Barbara thoroughly enjoyed it. She had a wonderful time.

“She will be missed. We’re going to arrange times to get together. She won’t be forgotten believe me. We were a big family. When she left it was like leaving her family.”

The shop suffered a double blow after Mrs Moore’s husband Mick, 70, also retired after working alongside his wife as a volunteer for many years.

The couple are now hoping to spend time travelling around the UK in their caravan and have plans to visit Portsmouth and Scotland while Mrs Moore is also hoping to take up zumba.