A COLCHESTER fast food chain is celebrating its 25th birthday with a member of staff who started before the restaurant opened.

Gloria Saul, from Brightlingsea, started working for McDonald’s a week before it first opened its High Street branch in 1984.

And 25 years later she is still going strong.

Mrs Saul, who is now an administration manager, said: “I started working here on the counter serving customers.

“I really enjoy working here because the hours are good and there’s always something different to do every day.

“You’re always working with different people too which makes it different and I’ll definitely be staying here.”

Lynne Holloway and Mary Ann Templeton, both from Colchester, have both worked for the company for 20 years.

Mary Ann said: “When my children were young, we came into McDonald’s for a treat and I saw the signs advertising vacancies.

“I’d always worked in retail so I thought I’d give it a try and I’ve never looked back.”

The branch celebrated its birthday with musical entertainment, balloons and face painting.