Asda employees have been awarded for a combination of 41,040 years of service at the supermarket chain’s Big Anniversary event.

The event, which is now in its 12th year, recognises staff with 25, 30 or 40 years of service.

More than 1,500 employees were recognised this year. They received an extra week’s holiday and £300 each.

Barbara Matthews, who works in the availability process team at Asda Billingham, joined the company in 1972. She said: “When I started in the farm store section of Asda all those years ago, I never imagined I would one day be one of the longest-serving members of staff.

“I absolutely love it here and, although a lot has changed over the last four decades, I’m proud to say that the fantastic support and atmosphere here at Asda has remained throughout.”

More than 87,127 of Asda’s 175,000 employees have been with the company for more than five years, and more than 3,833 have been with the company for 25 years or more.

Hayley Tatum, executive people director at Asda, said: “The Big Anniversary is our way of saying thank you for the huge effort that these employees put in, year in year out, and with over 40,000 years of service between them, it really was a day to remember.”

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