STAFF at a Bromsgrove company have been celebrating a total of 220 years' service.

Nine members of staff, some with as many as 35 years service behind them, raised their glasses to their employer, PolymerLatex, and reminisced about days gone by.

"I remember my first day as clear as a bell," said shift supervisor at the rubber and latex company, Harvey Liddington.

"I had just come out of the Merchant Navy and was looking for a job as a stop gap for a couple of weeks.

"That was in 1966 - who would have thought I would still be here now!"

"I had been made redundant from Rover and was desperately trying to go back," said Alan Whitehouse, also a shift supervisor with 35-years' service.

Another member of staff to start 35-years ago at the Stoke Prior company was Graham Reed, who is now managing director.

Dicky Teal, a team leader in distribution warehousing, and Paul Lacey, a poly operator, both joined the company 30-years ago.

Accounts assistant, Bernie Tomkinson, meanwhile, has 25-years service behind her, having joined the firm when she was just 17-years-old.

Andy Watkins, a control systems engineer, Kevin Hill, a chemical plant operator, and Phil Martin, a recovery operator, have each clocked up 10 years' experience.