BLUE Tack is as important to housekeeper Susan Jacobs as a duster.

And that's the way it's been from the day she started working for a professor who had collected valuable onjects from all over the world.

"The idea of breaking something really frightened me and I had a few scares after knocking things over," she says.

"So I went round the house and stuck things down with blue tack, which helps when I am dusting."

She remembers her first year as nerve-racking.

Presents from presidents and other irreplaceable artefacts got in Susan's way all the time, but her secret has helped keep her in the same house for 15 years.

"I am not sure how much certain things are worth because I'd rather not know," she said.

But polishing priceless possessions hasn't always been the way Susan has passed her time.

The former Knutsford High School student started life as a receptionist, earning £19 a week.

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But at 18 she married, had a daughter, Hayley, at 20 and decided to give up full-time work.

It was only when she separated from her husband that she knew she had to find a job.

She spotted Gill Ramsden's advert in a Knutsford newsagent's and went for an interview at her Legh Road home.

"Gill was looking for someone to fit in and be part of the family," said Susan.

The 'family' included three dogs - a Great Dane, a King Charles spaniel and a British Bulldog.

But apart from three big dogs, Susan also had to cope with a big house.

"For the first weeks I discovered a new room every time," said Susan.

The house had more than 20 rooms, but Susan only had to look after some of them.

She had assumed her daily tasks would involve a spot of cleaning.

Not so.

She cleans, walks the dogs, acts as a chauffeur and minds the house when Gill and her husband, Professor Richard Ramsden, are away.

"We used to feel like lord and lady of the manor," said Susan, who is also a care worker at Bexton Court.

"It was like going on holiday because we could have pool parties and BBQs."

Sometimes, though, it's such a big job that Susan's partner, Scott, also lends a hand - with the DIY.

"The hardest part is feeling responsible for everything when the family are away and hoping nothing will go wrong," she said.

She's also insured to drive the couple's car and often chauffeurs them to Manchester Airport.

And when the Ramsden's parents lived in the house too, Susan would ferry them to appointments and do their shopping.

"It is the variety I like and I think I would get bored if I did the same tasks all the time," said Susan, who normally lives in Northwich Road with son Luke, daughter Hayley and her partner.

But the two families are close.

Mrs Ramsden is Luke's godmother and next year they will be guests at a family wedding. Susan, her son Luke, daughter Hayley and partner Scot have become part of the Ramsden family.

Mrs Ramsden is Luke's godmother and next year they will be together at a family wedding.

When the Ramsdens moved from Legh Road, Knutsford, to Allostock, Susan moved to.

But before they did, they asked Susan: 'Do you mind driving the extra distance to work each day?'

And just in case she did, they bought her a car.

"I don't feel like I am going to work," said Susan. "It's like helping a friend.

"I just can't imagine not being there. It's like my second home."

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BLUE Tack is as important to housekeeper Susan Jacobs as a duster.

And that's the way it's been from the day she started working for a professor who had collected valuable onjects from all over the world.

"The idea of breaking something really frightened me and I had a few scares after knocking things over," she says.

"So I went round the house and stuck things down with Blue Tack, which helps when I am dusting."

She remembers her first few months/weeks/years?? as nerve-racking.