FIFTY-SIX long-serving Roberts Bakery employees are celebrating more than 1,000 years of combined service at the family bakery.

The veterans have chalked up 1,120 years' work between then, with four people – Steve Clarke, Segundo Verdusojo, Mark Lyons and Dave Clarke – reaching the 40-year milestone.

A further 12 employees have worked for the Rudheath-based bakery for 30 years, and 40 for 15 years, with their achievements celebrated at events in Knutsford.

Steve Clarke, one of the people to rack up 40 years' service, started working as a Saturday lad on the vans at Roberts while he was at school, and joined the business in 1978 as a driver – a role he retains to this day.

Steve, who lives in Rudheath, said: “It’s hard to imagine that I’ve been here for 40 years – I reckon I must have driven way more than a million miles in that time.

"I’ve been very happy at Roberts – it looks after people and I’ve made some good friends while I’ve been here. The company and the site have developed a great deal since I joined, but it does still feel very much like a family business.”

Mike Roberts added: “People are at the heart of Roberts Bakery and it really is a huge achievement to have such a long-serving team with 56 people amassing 1120 years’ service between them.

"Their experience and dedication have helped to make the business what it is today and we’re proud to celebrate their hard work.”