A Southampton woman has reached a major milestone after lasting 50 years at the same store.

Sandra White, 69 from Swaythling, started at Misselbrook and Weston, back in 1966. Misselbrook and Weston was a grocery store founded in Southampton in 1848.

The store’s cash and carry where Sandra worked was in Winchester Road and Sandra lived just a few doors away.

The store became M and W’s and was taken over in 1997.

Now the company is known as One Stop and Sandra works at the depot in Nursling.

When Sandra began working at the cash and carry at 19, bread would have been seven pence a loaf and milk four pence a pint.

She is now past retirement age but plans to remain at the company for as long as possible.

In celebration of Sandra’s half-century landmark the company organised a buffet lunch where her managers gave a speech in her honour and she was given a £500 voucher.

Also in appreciation of her long service, the company invited Sandra to a summer ball at Coombe Abbey, Coventry where they presented her with a crystal lifetime achievement award.

Although Sandra has never thought to move companies, she has changed her role within One Stop store’s depot a number of times.

When Sandra first started she used to 'punch cards' to organise what would be delivered.

Scott Binstead, general manager of the Nursling based Depot said: “She’s done nearly every role in the depot from admin clerk, payroll, order picker and stocktaking to reception.”

She now works as a distribution centre support administrator and checks the orders of goods going to stores all over the south of England.

Sandra was delighted by the celebrations organised for her milestone and said: "I am feeling a bit overwhelmed if I am honest.

“I didn’t know anything about it. I was quite taken aback.

"I think the main reason I have stayed here so long is because I don't like change very much.”

"There are great people here and we all work well together so I think that is why I haven't wanted to change companies."

During her time at the company Sandra has seen thousands of employees walk through its doors.

But one of her closest friends at the company joined just 15 years ago as a trainee.

Co-worker Gemma Russell, 35, from Bassett said that Sandra adds personality to the team.

Gemma said: "When I first joined the company Sandra taught me everything I needed to know.

"I think her friendly and caring personality is her biggest asset to the team, she is great."

“She’s a lovely lady, I can’t imagine the place without her.”

Sandra has carried out shift-work during her time at the company, doing early mornings and late evenings but since reaching her long service she has been given a regular work pattern and now finishes work early in the afternoons.

Her manager Scott said: "We have just taken Sandra off shifts to give her a break.”

Sandra says it gives her more time at the end of the day to unwind and have a cup of tea.

In her spare time Sandra enjoys spending time with her cat Sweepie and knitting.