Judith Miller thought she would last around a year as a carer. Twenty-five years later, she is still going strong.

Friends, family and colleagues threw a surprise party for Judith, 52, of James Street, Maryport, to celebrate 25 years of working at Granville Court on the town's Station Street.

Judith, who was completely overwhelmed by the surprise, said she came to work as a carer when her son was 18 months old and had to stay because of a promise she made to a resident.

She said: “I was 27 when I came here and thought I would last about a year. But from the first day, I loved the place. It was and is so homely.”

Granville Court was only about a year old at the time and among the residents was a woman who had been there almost from the beginning.

“I loved her and she treated me like a daughter. She had no family except a brother who lived away. She made me promise that I would never leave while she was still here. She lasted 18 years.”

By that time Judith, who is now deputy manager, was as much part of the furniture as the residents themselves.

Helen Stevens, who took ownership of the home in 2008 said having new owners was unsettling for staff and residents.

“Judith was a star throughout that time. She was so helpful. I don’t know what we would have done without her.”

Judith said Granville Court was home.

She said: “My children used to come here when they were small. The residents are like family. Today there was my family and friends, colleagues, residents and families of residents here for me. It is overwhelming but it shows how close-knit Granville Court is.”

And retirement? When she eventually does, she said, she will probably move into the home herself.