A care assistant ended her career in the same flat where she first provided home help for an elderly woman more than 35 years ago.

Sylvia Hathaway, 65, of Town Furlong in Appleton, started working as a carer for Oxfordshire County Council's social services department when the youngest of her three sons was still a baby.

Mrs Hathaway said her 35-year-long career began by chance when she was asked if she could look after an elderly lady crippled with arthritis, who was living near her home.

It was in the same flat that Mrs Hathaway visited a client on her last day at work.

The grandmother of six said: "I was asked if I would be able to give the lady a hand and was told I would be able to take my baby along with me, which is how it all started.

"I was gradually given more work in the village and when my youngest son was two I learnt to drive and became mobile, as I have been ever since."

Mrs Hathaway, who has worked with elderly people across south Oxfordshire, said she would miss her clients.

"I have always been dedicated to old people and really love working with them. I shall miss going out and talking to them," she said.

To mark her retirement, Mrs Hathaway's colleagues gave her a gold cross and chain, a china cup and saucer, a vase and bouquets.

She was also awarded a specially-made medal, with the inscription: "Out of 35 years it has just got to be St Sylvia".

Lyn Thomas, social services home support manager, said: "Sylvia started off all those years ago as a home help and is now a highly-trained care assistant.

"She has devoted a lot of time to caring for people in the community and will be sadly missed by all her colleagues and clients."

Mrs Hathaway said she was looking forward to having time to relax and the freedom to go caravanning with her husband Brian, an agricultural engineer.