Dedicated volunteer Win Vaughan has been praised for her 25 years of volunteering in the Barnardo’s shop in Devizes.

Mrs Vaughan, 85, became a volunteer when she retired from her secretarial career, aged 60, which included working for the Milk Marketing Board in St John’s Street, Devizes.

She worked two or three mornings a week and now works Thursday mornings. When she joined, the shop was in High Street before moving to the corner of Wine Street, where it is today.

To mark national Volunteers’ Week from June 1-7, Mrs Vaughan, of Avon Terrace, received an engraved carriage clock, silver badge, flowers and a certificate of appreciation from the charity, as well as enjoying tea and cake with her colleagues.

Mrs Vaughan, who is married to Fred and has two children and four grandchildren, said: “I joined Barnardo’s when I retired. I used to know the former manager and she asked if I would like to come in and help, but I never thought I’d be here 25 years later. I enjoy the friendship and the company and I still look forward to coming in each week – which you can’t say about many jobs!

“You meet a lot of people working at the shop and you get to know them, especially on a Thursday when the market is on.”

The Barnardo’s shop is supported by a team of almost 20 volunteers aged from their teens to their 80s, who help with sorting the stock and arranging displays.

Manager Cynthia Hart said: “I take my hat off to all of our volunteers who donate so much of their free time to help others, but Win deserves special praise because she is now our longest-serving supporter. “She’s an inspiration to the rest of us.”

The charity is responsible for Sure Start children’s centres in Corsham and Calne, which are managed on behalf of Wiltshire Council, as well as Redland Nursery in Chippenham, a visitor centre at HMP Erlestoke and a countywide short breaks service for disabled children and young people.