FRIENDS and family of Gladys Jackson joke that her kitchen freezer is like a family heirloom – because she bought it so long ago. Gladys turned to the Cambs Times for help because she wanted to tell them just how long it had been in perfect working order.

FRIENDS and family of Gladys Jackson joke that her kitchen freezer is like a family heirloom - because she bought it so long ago.

Gladys turned to the Cambs Times for help because she wanted to tell them just how long it had been in perfect working order.

Gladys, 83, of The Hill, Christchurch, remembers buying the LEC chest freezer in a sale in the 1970s.

She snapped up the £40 bargain when Millers, of Broad Street, March, closed.

She said: "It has moved house with us and has never been any trouble. I have never had to have it repaired. I was going to get rid of it and buy a new one but it has become a family heirloom."

After some detective work the Cambs Times discovered that Millers shop closed at the end of October 1977, although its yard in Station Rad remained open with the addition of ironmongery and tools from Broad Street.

Roy Speed, of March, may have been the man who sold the freezer to Gladys. He was responsible for setting up the small electrical department at the shop. Roy, 82, says he is not surprised the freezer is still working - he has one bought several years before still in good working order.

"It says something for the quality of the goods we used to sell," said Roy.

* Do you have a freezer or other domestic appliance which is still going strong after many years? Let us know by e-mailing maggie.gibson@archant.co.uk