A FAMILIAR face around Falmouth enjoyed a retirement party after 50 years of working locally.

Elizabeth Calvert spent 28 years working as a receptionist in an optician's in town, before latterly working for 22 years in Mylor Stores.

Betty Barnicoat, who attended her party at the Lemon Arms, Mylor, said: "She's a very stubborn cow, but she's a great friend - everybody loves her, no matter where you go."

Liz, one of five children, is one of the "bingo girls" who attend twice weekly evenings in Penryn's Temperance Hall on Wednesdays and Sundays.

Betty added: "She'll do anything for anyone and now she's retired. she's offered to help me with my garden. She doesn't suffer idiots though."

Another of Elizabeth's passions is watching television, which Betty has discovered during several "turkey and tinsel" holidays that they have shared.

"We've been to Tenerife together, twice to Bournemouth and other places too. Wherever we go, by nine o'clock she's gone back to her room to get in bed and watch television."

Another of Liz's friends, Dawn Sparrow, who also lives in Mylor, said: "She's extremely popular and she reaches out to everybody. She's so thoughtful and kind to others."'

Dawn, 55, has known her since she was 16 or 17 but lost touch with her in recent times as she has spent much of her time caring for her mother.

"I became so isolated and felt as though I didn't have any friends anymore.

"We have only rebuilt out friendship again in the last few months. We got talking again on facebook and she asks me to come out with her and asks what I am doing on different days, so I don't just sit indoors.

"She's a fantastic lady who likes to include everybody."

Around 70 or 80 people turned up for the party, at which Liz thanked everyone for coming and for the cake and invitations which had been made.