STAFF at Bents Garden & Home have worked a combined total of more than 1,000 years at the garden centre.

The garden centre has raised a glass to its staff with an event that recognised the outstanding levels of service that employees have been providing to guests for a number of years.

The event itself recognised the achievements of the garden centre's "10+ Club" - a group that welcomes staff members who have each clocked up more than 10 years of employment.

Warrington Guardian: Members of the 10 Club were invited to a dinner event to celebrate the ongoing service of the club's membersMembers of the 10 Club were invited to a dinner event to celebrate the ongoing service of the club's members

When the club was launched in 2003, it had 14 members of staff included - nearly 20 years later and that number has grown to almost 100 members.

Those members include 69 current employees, and 28 who have since retired.

The event this year recognised particularly extensive stints at the garden centre, with Ray Smith of maintenance clocking up 45 years of employment; and Michael Seddon, senior retail sales associate, has celebrated 40 years at Bents.

Matthew Bent, managing director, said: "We have an excellent team throughout the Centre, many of whom have been with us for a number of years, as demonstrated by the incredible combined length of service total. 

"We were blown away when we worked it out to be 1,196 years!"

Warrington Guardian: More than 60 members of staff joined senior management for a three-course mealMore than 60 members of staff joined senior management for a three-course meal

One member of the 10+ Club, Kristen, said: "So much has happened at Bents in the time I have been here. 

"The business has grown and developed so much but the care and attention they give to colleagues has always remained the same."