A GOLDEN couple have clocked up 50 years service for a Greenock bakery firm.

Jean and Alan Duffy have both worked for Aulds for 25 years and bosses marked the milestone by doing what they do best - baking a cake.

Managing director Alan Marr presented them with a special confectionary creation, featuring two silver medals on top of a gold cake, and cash to buy a gift of their choice, in recognition of all their hard work.

The pair joke they have lasted so long in the same firm because they work different shifts. Delivery driver Alan, 48, has an early start which means his day is nearly over before Jean starts as deputy manager of the bakers and coffee shop in Brisbane Street. He said: "We both started part-time and we were just kept on from there. The years have just disappeared - we've seen a lot of changes over the years.

"I start at 1am and Jean starts at 8am, We pass each other on the stairs." The family connection with the firm goes back even further after Alan's aunt Jean McBride, who worked in various shops, put a word in for his wife Jean.

Jean, also 48, said: "I never thought we'd be here after all these years. We work with nice people and we've made a lot of friends." Alan added: "It's a good company to work for. We've done okay out of it." The bakery workers, who live in Rankin Rise, also celebrated their daughter Gemma's 21st birthday last year and are gearing up for their silver wedding anniversary next year.

Mr Marr thanked them for their dedication over the years.

He said: "Alan and Jean are a great couple who have given excellent service to the company.

"This is a fantastic milestone which no previous couple, that I'm aware of, have achieved. We hope they have many further happy years working for Aulds."