A sheltered housing company has praised an employee for 25 years of service.

Sandra Ryder, 64, has been working for The Abbeyfield Braintree, Bocking and Felsted Society Limited since 1993.

On September 24 trustees, managers, staff, residents, family and friends got together for a surprise celebration party for Miss Ryder, house manager at Wickham House Braintree.

She said: “In June 2006 Sandra was appointed house manager at Wickham House and since then has worked tirelessly to provide a safe, warm and welcoming home for its residents.

“Sandra has managed one major refurbishment plus countless after improvements and the house now boasts 17 fantastic studio apartments for the not so young.

“Sandra is well loved and respected by all her staff and residents and can always be relied on to go the extra mile to ensure the residents are safe and well.”

After starting at Wickham House as a general assistant in 1992, Miss Ryder became a deputy house manager at Georgian House in 1995 and was later promoted to manager where she remained until its closure in 2006.

Wickham House will be holding a coffee morning on October 27 at 10.30am.

For information call 01376 320061.