IN the three decades shoppers have stocked up on all of life's essentials at Sainsbury's in Heyford Hill, some members of staff have been with them all the way.

As the superstore marks its 30th anniversary today there will also be cause for celebration for Maureen Hodkins and Leslie Walton, who are among nine ever-present staff at the shop.

The pair began work on August 19, 1986 after joining for training earlier that year and have been there ever since.

Mrs Hodkins is still coming to work every day at the age of 74 and said she has loved her years on the checkouts.

The Kennington woman said: "I still have some regular customers who come to me every week and stand in the queue and wait for me.

"I do say to them they don't have to queue but it is nice to talk to them.

"Even if they do go to other checkouts they come and ask how I am.

"We all get on well together here, it is a good team and I really enjoy it."

Mrs Hodkins has seen many changes at the store including an extension five years ago and the introduction of reward cards.

She said: "One of the biggest changes is that we have got self-scan now, which helps a lot of people if they are in a hurry.

"We have a travel money bureau now, which is good, it really is a superstore."

Mrs Hodkins' time at the store also saw her take on a charity skydive for charity Headway that saw her raise more than £1,000.

On her first day at the shop she was joined by Lesley Walton from Blackbird Leys, who has spent her 30 years there on the deli counter.

The 57-year-old started working for the company in May 1987 and went on a training course before starting.

She said: "It is nice to see our regular customers coming into shop and they sometimes want the same old things every time.

"The older people like to stick to what they know.

"On the deli counter we do olives and curries, which we did not have 30 years ago, and we do pizzas now, which we never did before.

"My favourite thing working here is meeting all the customers and the staff are lovely."

Other changes in the store have included the introduction of clothing and homeware ranges and the move of the cafe to the first floor extension.

It has also seen visits from celebrities such as chef Ainsley Harriott.

In September the store will be hosting a party to mark its 30 years serving the people of Oxford and the surrounding areas.