TWO employees at a Skipton company have notched up 82 years of service.

Reward Manufacturng despatch manager Bruce Blackburn has just achieved 40 years service, an anniversary that sales liaison Ray Bewick reached two years ago.

Few might know where the firm was, tucked away on Sackville Street, but the company manufactures catering equipment and trolleys for numerous high profile companies. These include the Ritz, Hilton and Marriott hotels and also P&O liners.

They also provided the trolley on which the Queen Mother's Gold Cup for racing stood. In addition to this they serve hospitals, schools and councils across the world.

Mr Blackburn said that it was sheer dedication that had kept them at the firm so long. He said: "There's nothing that I haven't enjoyed and we have always had good bosses."

Their job certainly makes going out with their families an experience as both men look at the stamps on trolleys and equipment to see if they were made by Reward or by other companies. They even keep an eye out for trolleys on films!

"When we go out my wife gets really embarrassed because I'm looking at trolleys and under tables," said Mr Bewick.

The firm's managing director Keith Hooper, who will hand over the business to his son, Jonathan, in two years time, said: "As a small family company we really appreciate the loyalty that Bruce and Ray have shown us."