Building society manager and well known face in Burnley counts down to retirement after 40 year career

And she recalls how the move to Burnley from her native Longton near Preston left her in tears.

"It was a massive change in my life,'' recalls Barbara. "Because everything happened at once it was a big shock and took some getting used to."

The move to Burnley came as it is the hometown of her husband Paul who is a retired police officer.

Fast foward 40 years and Barbara is one of the longest serving building society managers in the town. And after clocking up 27 years in the role she is also a very well known face in Burnley.

Now at the age of 60 she is finally retiring.

Barbara started as counter staff at the Nationwide Building Society in 1981 when it was based in Grimshaw Street and also when the branch moved to its current home in St James Street.

Only taking time off to have her three sons, Robert (35) David, who is 33 and 31-year-old Mark, Barbara worked her way up, from Saturday only work and part time to taking on the role of assistant manager when her boys were younger as her mother in law offered to help out with childcare.

She said: "I have absolutely loved my job and I have worked with some fantastic people over the years who have become good friends.

"I have been so lucky and I couldn't have asked for anything more.

"I always say to people do something you love because you spend a lot of time at work."

Several customers have already been in the branch to drop off gifts and cards for Barbara and say their farewells.

She said: "We have some marvellous customers that I won't really get chance to say a proper goodbye to because of the pandemic.

"But I would like to thank them all for their loyalty over the years."

Barbara is looking forward to spending more time with former police officer Paul who retired in January after a 46 year career with Lancashire Police, 30 of them spent working in Burnley.

The couple are also looking forward to being with their family including their four grandchildren who Barbara describes as the 'love of our lives.'

Barbara's successor is Vicky Smith, who is from Burnley, and has been manager of the Chorley branch of Nationwide for 13 years.