A CHECKOUT worker has checked out of Asda for the last time after 17 years of service with the supermarket giant.

Ann Hodge, 74, was given the send off she deserved on Good Friday with the management team and customers saying their goodbyes as she made her retirement.

She first joined the retailer in November 2001 - the same month the store opened in the Orbital Centre in North Swindon.

For ten years she worked in the electrical department before switching to spend the remainder of her years on the checkouts. It was there that she got to really engage with customers who would become regulars for her.

Mrs Hodge commented on what she will miss since retiring. She said: “It was a very sad day for me as I will be leaving many great friends and customers. I have enjoyed every minute of it and it has been a very big part of my life and I will miss my colleagues greatly.”

The former Asda employee has always lived locally and prides herself on never being late to work or letting the team down. Whenever she has been asked to cover or come in early she has always obliged.

Rachel Deane, customer training manager at Asda, said: “Ann will be missed by so many people, she has worked here for such a long time and has been the perfect employee, especially her customer service. She is very loyal and was a great addition to the team, I wish her a well-deserved retirement.”

To celebrate her retirement, she will be having a party at the pub, Jovial Monk, April 7. There is expected to be around 50 to 60 guests attending.

When asked what next with all this spare time Mrs Hodge replied: “I just want to enjoy my retirement and to be able to relax which will hopefully mean enjoying as many holidays as possible. I love gardening and so does my husband, so I am sure we will spend a lot more time doing this, we have our own allotment patch so if you need to find me I will most likely be down there.”