THREE employees at Pebley Beach motors have clocked up an impressive 60 years of service between them.

Company accountant Lesley Jones, assistant accountant Dee Theobald, and warranty clerk Chris Pobjoy are all celebrating 20 years with the firm this month.

Lesley was hired as an accountant for the Suzuki car dealership at Wroughton, while Dee was recruited to do the books for the Esso filling station on the same day in the summer of 1998.

Dee then moved to the same when the petrol station closed.

"We returned to work because our children – who are the same age – had started school," said Lesley. "They've grown up together, and Dee and I have been friends ever since."

The pair also went through their training with the Association of Accounting Technicians together.

"The past 20 years has been great," said Lesley. "Dom is a good boss to work for, and our colleagues are lovely people."

Warranty clerk Chris Pobjoy started at the company when he was made redundant when biotech company Monsanto closed its Wroughton operation after suffering from ill health.

He joined Pebley Beach as a cashier in the petrol station, and soon found himself as stock buyer for the shop.

When the petrol station closed, managing director Dominic Threlfall offered Chris a role in the car dealership handling warranty claims.

"Dom took me on despite my health issues and allowed me to work flexi time," said Chris. "I joke that because I'm part time I've only done 10 years!"

The trio exchanged gifts on the day they celebrated their anniversary. Lesley made Dee a card while Dee knitted Lesley and Chris miniature dolls of themselves.

"Lesley, Dee and Chris are valued members of the team, and it's been a pleasure to work with them all for 20 years," said Dominic. "How they have put up with me for 20 years I'll never know!"