CLEANING Services Manager Mary Addison has retired after 33 years at the Eastbourne Arndale Centre.

Mary, 74, began work at the centre as a toilet cleaner in 1985 then progressed to supervisor and finally cleaning services manager, responsible for a 14-strong team.

During her time at the Arndale Centre, Mary became a familiar friendly face to hundreds of customers over the years.

As well as a shoulder to cry on for many shoppers, she has also delivered a baby boy in the ladies’ toilets!

Mary said: “I absolutely loved my job and the people that I met.

“I have been asked advice on many things over the years.

“I knew so many people in the centre and I will really miss seeing them every day.

“It was a fantastic place to work.”

At one stage during her career, Mary’s husband Geoff, 82, also worked for the Arndale Centre.

The couple have three children, seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren between the ages of 18 and five months.

Mary said during the last 33 years the biggest differences in her job had been the dramatic increase in the number of visitors to the centre and the extensive health and safety regulations that had been introduced.