THE Mayor of Worcester helped three council employers celebrate a golden 25 years of service to the city.

Allah Ditta presented Allan Laidler, Tracey Groves and Sam Bosdyk with certificates and service awards for their long serving efforts.

Environmental services' administration officer Mr Laidler joined the former city engineers' department in January 1980, while Ms Groves, operations officer in IT and e-government, started with the city council as a 16-year-old in November 1979.

Mr Bosdyk - whose real name is Richard but he known to his friends as Sam - who is team leader and driver with environmental services, started in October 1979 on just £1.25 an hour.

"The city council appreciates all its employees, but especially those with 25 years' service.

"Thank you to all," said the deputy chief executive Philip Betts.