Asda Gosforth colleagues help customer 'Nana Sylvia' celebrate 95th birthday

A very happy 95th birthday to Asda Gosforth customer Sylvia Cross – affectionately known by everyone as "Nana Sylvia" – who's been shopping at the store almost every day since it opened 37 years ago.

When the store's community champion Michelle Castledine and her colleagues found out it was Mrs Cross's birthday they wanted to make a big fuss of her, so got her some presents, flowers, a cake and a card – and invited her for lunch in the cafe, complete with her favourite chocolate biscuits.

Michelle said: "Sylvia's such a lovely, lovely lady. Everyone knows her here and thinks the world of her. Colleagues here even call her "Nana Sylvia".

"She lives just round the corner and is in nearly every day – it's her corner shop. When we found out that it was her 95th birthday we wanted to do something a bit special for her."

Teri McColl, who works on the customer service desk, said: "Seeing Sylvia is always a highlight of the day. She's always up for a good natter and a laugh. She's small and mighty, definitely a character. She's really good for her age. We just thought it was nice to make a big fuss of her for her birthday."

Sylvia said she loved her birthday surprise.

She said: "I was born on Good Friday and now it's my 95th birthday on Good Friday. It's lovely what the store has done for me. It's absolutely marvellous. Everyone who works here is just brilliant – I couldn't wish for better people."

Sylvia, who has had various jobs including working as an usherette, in a bakery and on a farm, has five children, 15 grandchildren, more than 20 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.