Six employees of James Walker in Cockermouth, who have amassed an amazing 260 years of service between them, received long service awards at a presentation at the Trout Hotel.

It is a special year for the company as it celebrates its 50th birthday this year too.

Thos honoured at the hotel in Cockermouth included four workers that had been with the company for 40 years each and two that had served for 25 years.

Janice Murphy, David Pearson, Les Mitchell and David Fearon all received their 40 year service awards and Andrew Sloan and Peter Needham - chairman of the group and ex-Cockermouth site director, received their 25 year service awards.

Mr Needham, the group's chairman, started at Cockermouth then transferred to Woking Head Office.

Ed Surman - site director, said the factory will be celebrating it's 50th year in Cockermouth this year with a family event at the factory.

Overall, the company has been trading for over 130 years.

Mark Brook, manufacturing director for James Walker, thinks it's the family atmosphere at James Walker that sees employees want to stay at the company.

He said: "It's really pleasing to see a long commitment from our employees, it's more of a family. It is still a privately run business with the descendants of James Walker owning a majority share.

We're one of the biggest factories in West Cumbria and it's only through the commitment of our employees."

David Pearson