A TOTAL of 83 First West Yorkshire staff have received special awards after working for the business for 25 years or more.

Bus drivers and other workers at the local bus operator were granted the long service awards, including Desmond McGee who marked 52 years with the firm.

A significant number of drivers have been employed by First for more than 25 years, with 15 workers marking 45 years, and three achieving 50 years or more, including Mr McGee.

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Staff were thanked at a special ceremony by First West Yorkshire managing director Paul Matthews, where they received long service award certificates and gifts in front of family and colleagues.

Mr Matthews said: “I’m always thrilled to be able to present awards to colleagues who have been dedicated to the business for a significant period of time.

“This year we had a great number of our drivers celebrating more than 40 years’ service and we therefore wanted to try to ensure that they had a night to remember.”