TWENTY-eight years ago Rita Robinson thought it was "only good manners" to attend an interview for a job which she had decided not to pursue.

But after her meeting with the then owner of Miller Howe Hotel John Tovey, Mrs Robinson changed her mind, started working the following day and never looked back.

Mrs Robinson, who has finally retired from the job she loved, initially put in a few hours each morning to help out before going full-time when her children were older, and was appointed head receptionist of the hotel on Rayrigg Road, Windermere.

"I really enjoyed the job - both Mr T.

and Mr Garside were great to work for, and it is a good team," she told the Gazette, adding her colleagues had treated to her to a surprise champagne send-off.

She added that she was looking forward to simply enjoying her time off at her Windermere home and spending more time with her children Sean, Jacqueline and Tony, and four grandchildren.