Grateful trippers are so pleased with their outings they are determined to hang on to their 'travel agent' - 78-year-old great-grandmother Renee Morris.

And despite approaching her 80s, Renee says she will not walk away from the trips she has been organising for more than half a century.

And to show their appreciation 30 regular trippers threw a surprise party for her last night at Eccleshill Football Club which coincided with Renee's diamond wedding anniversary.

The Shipley mum-of-two's debut as a 'travel agent' came in 1947 when she organised a trip to Blackpool for local youngsters, including her eldest daughter Shirley, who was then six.

Several more children's seaside jaunts followed but the coach trips really got into gear in the 1960s when friends asked Renee if she could organise a shopping expedition.

And for the last 30 years big-hearted Renee has run two or three shopping trips a year for friends, neighbours, relations and former work colleagues.

The next outing is the annual Christmas shopping trip to Chester in December but over the years other destinations have included everywhere from London, Blackpool and Edinburgh to Scarborough, Gateshead and the Skirlington Market near Bridlington.

Following one shopping spree in Carlisle, the trippers - from people in their 20s to folk in their 80s from Shipley, Keighley, Baildon, Cullingworth and Idle - took part in a mock shotgun wedding ceremony at Gretna Green.

And other highlights during Renee's years on the buses have included a tea dance at Blackpool Tower and weekend trips to Calais and Bournemouth.

Renee, of Windhill, said: "I was going to give it up when I got to 65 but they wouldn't let me so I'll carry on as long as I can and for as long as they want me.

"I get a free seat but don't make a penny out of it - I just do it because I love doing it.

"It keeps me in touch with my friends and I think it helps keep me going. It keeps me young.''

The former assistant cook at Windhill First School, who celebrated 60 years of marriage to husband Charlie, 79, on Thursday, added: "We normally have a full coach-load of 53 going and usually have a waiting list. I ask them where they want to go and take a majority decision.

"A bit nearer the time I book the coach - we've been using Stanley Gath's at Dewsbury for ten years - and ring round to take the bookings. We're just like one big family - they're a good crowd and always turn up for the bus on time.''

One of Renee's regular trippers is Wendy Wright, 59, of Shipley, who went on the very first outing to Blackpool as a little girl.

She said: "I've only missed one or two of her trips in all those years. Her outings are fabulous and I think she's absolutely marvellous to do what she does at her age - where she gets her energy from I don't know.

"If we go to London she ends up walking nearly all the way because she's going up and down the bus making sure everything's okay.''

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