Supermarket worker finally retires at age of 86

A veteran till assistant has scanned her last basket of shopping after almost 30 years working at a supermarket.

Great-grandmother Olive Young, 86, started work at the Eagle Centre branch of Iceland in Derby almost three decades ago, before she transferred to the Littleover store.

She said: “If you find a job that you really love, you never work again.

“I’ve loved every minute I’ve worked for them. I don't class it as going to work, I just go because I like it.”

Most of Mrs Young’s shifts have been spent on the tills where she said she enjoyed chatting to customers, some of whom she has served for years.

“I know more about some of them than I know about myself – they’re just like friends,” she said.

Her manager, Ian McCamely, said he was sad to see Mrs Young leave and recalled a time last year when she asked her doctor for a sick note after she ruptured her Achilleas tendon.

“The doctor laughed it off thinking she was having a joke,” he added.

“She came back to work quicker than these Premiership footballers when they have an ACL injury.”

Area Manager, Tara Connington, said: “She’s incredible and for her to continue to do work past retirement age is just outstanding.”

Mrs Young, was awarded a framed letter of thanks, flowers and gifts by regional management on her last shift.

She plans to spend her retirement enjoying craft activities, as she has knitted poppies for the Royal British Legion for many years.