Long pub career bites the dust

Sheila Nicholson, 71, worked six days a week until 18 months ago at the Red Lion in Chester-le-Street, County Durham. And the great-grandmother still worked five days a week, starting her six-hour shifts at 6am.

Working at the Red Lion in Front Street runs in her family – her mother worked there for 25 years.

She said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed it and I am going to miss the people. But I will still pop in to keep an eye on things.”

Mrs Nicholson, who has four sons, 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, is known for her thorough cleaning.

Red Lion manager Jill Harkness said Shelia “leaves some very big shoes to fill. There’s no smudge, smear or dust that she can’t spot.”

There will be a celebration party at the pub for Mrs Nicholson.