SECRETARY Cheryl Williams is celebrating a 40-year milestone.Ms Williams started work as a receptionist at the Bury St Edmunds office of accountancy and business advisory firm Baker Tilly, then known as Oliver Lusher & Co, in August 1967.

SECRETARY Cheryl Williams is celebrating a 40-year milestone.

Ms Williams started work as a receptionist at the Bury St Edmunds office of accountancy and business advisory firm Baker Tilly, then known as Oliver Lusher & Co, in August 1967.

She was soon promoted to shorthand typist and continued expanding her administrative role over the next 40 years.

“When I first joined the firm I was working with cumbersome manual typewriters. Fax machines were non-existent, messages were sent by large telex machines and the photocopier was a labour-intensive contraption which involved two sheets of paper and a lot of liquid,” she recalled.

Baker Tilly marked Ms Williams' milestone with a special drinks party for past and present work colleagues, and the firm's national managing partner, Laurence Longe, presented her with a digital camera and printer.

David Franklin, a partner in the audit team, described her as a “hard-working and responsible employee”.

“We are honoured that she has chosen to stay with us for such an incredible length of time. Her loyalty is unrivalled, and very highly valued,” he said.