WHEN 23-year-old Pam Blandford clocked on for her first working day, a pint of beer cost 6p, a loaf of bread 3p and a three-bedroom house in Southampton £2,100.

That was 50 years ago to the week in 1955 - and the 73-year-old machine operator is still with the same pump manufacture firm near Southampton.

She is now thought to be one of the longest serving employees on the books of any company in the country.

At one point early on Pam considered enlisting at a factory called Mullards, at nearby Millbrook in Southampton, as the money was better.

However, devoted husband Bill, now 81, told her to stay put. He warned that no wife of his was going to risk her life by running across main roads to get to work!

Yesterday Pam took centre stage on the factory floor at Totton Pumps, based at Rushington Business Park, Totton.

Nearly 50 staff looked on as bosses marked half a century of service by Pam, who lives at nearby Testwood.

Pam and Bill, who have been married for 51 years, turned down the gift of a luxury weekend abroad.

She plumped for earrings instead to add to her collection of jewellery, which includes a watch and bracelet - other company gifts she amassed as the years passed.

Pam, who did not have children but has been regarded as a "second mum" to lots of the workers over the decades, said: "I will have to retire one day, and my husband keeps on, but I don't know when that will be!"

Production manager Marie McDermott said Pam had taken her and plenty of others under her wing, showing them the ropes.

She added: "Pam really is the centre of the workforce, and is always ready for a chat. She cheers you up when you're feeling down, and she's a complete asset to any company."

Totton Pumps, which is owned by Helix Industries, has an annual turnover of £4.4m.

It makes pumps and electric motors for, among others, the drinks industry.

The company, which started out in 1946 in a Nissen hut at the site of the current Asda car park in Totton, was originally called the Windle Works before being sold to Wolseley and then Helix.