BOSSES at one of Hampshire's largest companies have rewarded an extreme case of staff loyalty - with a Chinese take-away.

But it will not involve egg fried rice, sweet and sour chicken or prawn crackers. Grateful DIY chiefs are flying Fareham supergran Connie Cox out to the Far East to celebrate her 80th birthday.

The grandmother has spent the past 12 years working at Fareham's B&Q branch as a customer assistant in the gardening department.

Now the DIY giant's international manager Steve Gillman is making good on a promise he made nine years ago to fly her to the Orient, where the firm has four stores.

Connie said: "He said to me that when I turned 80 he would take me out to China.

"I thought he had forgotten about it, but on my 80th birthday he said: 'I haven't forgotten my promise, Connie'."

The Chandler's Ford-based firm is finalising the trip's details, but sprightly Connie says she doesn't want to be a burden.

She said: "I want to work in the B&Q stores out there. I'm going to learn the Chinese for 'good morning' and I will stand at the door welcoming customers in."

She admitted: "I really don't know how I'm going to be received by the Chinese."

Connie started working at B&Q's Southampton Road store in Titchfield aged 68. She initially worked as a shelf stacker and at the end of each day would cycle the short distance home in the dark.

Then her generous bosses stepped in and offered her part-time work three days a week, which she says suits her perfectly.

She said: "I like people and I like to talk. My father said that as a baby I must have been vaccinated with a gramophone needle.

"I'll still be working when I'm 100."

A spokeswoman for B&Q said Connie was a real asset to the team.

She said: "Mr Gillman met Connie when he visited the store when he was based in the UK. He has kept in touch even though he is now working with B&Q Internation-al.

"Connie is a very supportive and positive character who has been with us for some time. We are delighted to congratulate her on reaching 80 and still working for us in this way."