IT will soon be the end of an era at Tilbury's ASDA store with news that one of just two of the original staff will retire at the end of the month.

Ann Cooper, 77, from Chadwell St Mary, started working at the store on its opening day on Saturday, 5 June 1982, after completing a month of training with the company.

Her long service will come to an end on Saturday, 29 March, after 43 years.

Ann who has six children, ten grandchildren and two great grandchildren, has made many friends with staff - many of whom have left the store but remain close - and customers, during those four decades. 

Her late husband, Norman, also worked at the store during their almost 50 years of marriage, as did their son Sam at one point.