EVESHAM-based Dawn Foods has bid farewell to two of its longest serving employees.

Ivor Stewart and Ron Sandalls have retired after working for the bakery manufacturer since it opened its UK factory in the town 12 years ago.

Ivor's career started in the sauce kitchen and he quickly progressed to running the 500kg "gardener mixer" for dry production, while Ron started in the finished goods warehouse before being promoted to a position in the raw materials warehouse.

"They have been excellent employees who will be missed by us all," said John Tissiman, site manager.

"I could always rely on them to produce work of the highest they have never turned down an opportunity to make improvements to the way we work."