THERE were two special guests as Blackburn’s Cancer Research UK shop celebrated its 25th birthday yesterday.

For two of the original volunteer assistants who gave up their time to work behind the counter when it first opened in 1990 and are still working there were on hand to join in the celebrations.

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Sylvia Ansbro, 84, from Lower Darwen, and 67-year-old Susan Haigh from Wilpshire, were behind the counter when the charity retail unit on Northgate opened its doors to the public quarter of century ago.

Yesterday they took time off their duties to join manager Gillian Murray and other staff for an anniversary party at Liz and Lil’s tea and coffee house a few hundred yards down the street.

During its 25 years, the the shop has raised £2.25 million for the charity’s work fighting cancer and researching its causes and treatment.

Mrs Haigh said: “It’s changed a lot in those 25 years. It’s bigger and brighter with a wider range of goods.

“I just wanted to to do something to help.

“My family, like so many, has been touched by cancer.”

Mrs Ansbro said: “I was moved to do charity work when the priest at my local church said we should all do something to help others.

“I don’t think I really thought about still working here 25 years later when I started.

“It is an amazing achievement for the shop.”

Mrs Murray, aged 49, who took over the shop two years ago after working for Cancer Research UK in Preston said: “It is an astonishing achievement to raise £2.25 million for the charity over 25 years.”