Eileen retires after 54 years on stall

Eileen Griffiths started baking cakes for a market stall to help out her colleagues in the local WI – now more than 50 years later she has finally hung up her apron for good.

Eighty-six-year-old Mrs Griffiths, a grandmother-of-one from Ludlow, first volunteered at Leominster and District Country Market in 1958. And she has baked hundreds of sponge cakes, scones, mince pies and Christmas and birthday cakes for several generations of customers.

When she started out a typical jam sponge at the market cost 2s 6d. Today it costs £3.10. Mrs Griffiths, who was the market's secretary for 35 years, plans to spend her free time relaxing.

But she still wants to visit all her friends – both staff and customers – when she can make it to the market, which is held every Friday at Grafton House in Leominster. She said: "I've enjoyed meeting people and we've had lots of lovely customers over the years. It was something I chose to do voluntarily and I have baked all sorts. It has given me a lot of pleasure.

"I first started as I was a member of the WI in Kingsland where I lived at the time. I decided to help and it just grew from there.

"The market in Leominster is still doing really well. But I need to stop now – I think I have earned a good rest."