THE 70 workers at Albany Pumps in Lydney created history this week by becoming their own bosses - making the company the first in the area to come under employee ownership.

Retiring owner and chairman Martyn Swafford negotiated the transfer of ownership to an employee trust, fulfilling a long held promise to safeguard jobs and to keep the business in Lydney.

At an official handover ceremony on Thursday, staff presented Mr Swafford and his wide Anne with a garden furniture table and chairs set.

They also produced a framed photographic portrait of him and a plaque commemorating the handover, both of which will hang in the company reception area. His wife Anne was presented with a bouquet of flowers.

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