DEVOTED Asda employee is celebrating her 45 year anniversary with the superstore.

Much-loved colleague Ann Vose first started work at Asda in 1975 and still loves her job at the Rawtenstall store just as much as she did back then.

Ann, who's 70, has also worked at Asda in Accrington, Rochdale and Pilsworth stores over the years.

She said: "Asda is just my life. I love the people - the customers and the colleagues. I've never got bored working in Asda as there's always something going on.

"I've just loved it since the day I walked in and nothing's changed. I'm proud to work for Asda, always have been."

Ann started out as a checkouts colleague at the Rochdale store in 1975 when having a change in career direction.

She said: "I went into the store to enquire if there was any vacancies, because at the time I was a machinist and I couldn't sew a button on anything never mind work a machine! I thought I needed something different really.

"I was seen straight away by the personnel manager and got the job and I've never looked back."

Ann spent 10 years at the Rochdale store before moving to the old Asda Accrington to be customer services manager.

She spent two years there, helping to open the new site before heading to Pilsworth store, again as customer service manager.

"I've made lots of friends working at Asda," she said. "I still go out with the girls from Pilsworth. People from Accrington come in here for their shopping and always give me a shout and my best friend is someone from the Rochdale store."

After 12 years, Ann took up a similar role at Rawtenstall until 2013, after which she moved to George as a section leader.

Ann likes to go walking, cycling and swimming in her spare time as well as spending time with her five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Billiejo Hirst, Asda Rawtenstall George and GM manager, says Ann is an "amazing lady" who's a credit to Asda.

Billiejo said: "I'd like to say that she's my second mum! I went through a really tough time when my dad got terminal cancer and you know what, no matter day or night, she was at the end of the phone. She is amazing. I've not got enough words for her.

"She is so passionate and wants to do a good job. She's a very hand-on colleague. Everyone on my team here looks up to her as a mother figure!"

ASDA was sold last week to the Issa Brothers who also own Blackburn based EG Group for £6.8 billion.