Colleagues have heaped praise on a 95-year-old Bexleyheath woman, who still dedicates her time to working for a local charity.

Great-grandmother Fran Grier turned 95 on Sunday, and has been working at The Charity Shop in Hatherley Road, Sidcup, for more than 20 years.

The shop helps raise funds for people with learning disabilities in Kent and East Sussex, providing 100 homes and supporting a further 70 people, at any one time, to develop their skills and capacity. 

It is a cause that Fran is dedicated to and, despite her age, every Tuesday gives her time to working at the shop, her enthusiasm admired by co-workers and customers alike.

Barbara Cordell, a committee member who has worked for the charity for 29 years, told News Shopper: "She's a very hard worker, she is always very jolly and the customers love her.

"She's the life and soul of the party.

"She is very helpful and kind - I can't say a bad word about her."

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She added: "I remember saying to her, when she was turning 90 - I was stood behind her at the library and I heard her say 'I am going to give up work when I'm 90' - and I said 'oh no you're not', and low and behold she's still working for us at 95.

"It's the charity's only shop - so people come from far and wide - and Fran is very devoted."

Canterbury Oast Trust runs a number of other enterprises to support its work, including the Rare Breeds Centre near Ashford and Mariners Tea Room in Rye.