Is Audrey Cook the longest serving employee ever in the food and drink industry?

Mars Chocolate worker Audrey Cook celebrated an incredible 70 years working for the confectionery giant this week.

Cook joined Mars in Slough in 1944 aged 14 and started out hand cutting Mars bars - which had been introduced to the UK just 12 years previously - in the ‘stripping room’. She then moved to Spangles production before becoming a supervisor on the Starburst production line.

In 1972, aged 42, she took on a new role running the staff sales shop, where she still works 42 years later. “I love working here, it’s a great company,” Cook said. “I’ve enjoyed meeting so many people over the years.”

In April 2013, Cook met The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh when they visited the Slough factory - a moment she counts as “definitely the best thing that’s happened to me working here. It was such an honour.”

Mars marked Cook’s achievement by throwing a surprise celebration in her honour at Slough, attended by all staff. Her previous anniversaries have been marked by travelling to Mars sites around the world.

Fiona Dawson, president of Mars Chocolate UK, said: “We have been making chocolate in Slough for over 80 years. Audrey has been here almost from the start.

“She is truly remarkable, and embodies the culture of Mars and lights up everyone’s day with her infectious smile and wicked sense of humour.”

Is Audrey the longest-serving employee in the food and drink industry? If you know someone else who’s worked longer, please let us know.