A RAILWAY station stalwart says she is "gobsmacked" by the send off she received after departing the job she was in for more than 20 years.

Pat Dixon worked in the ticket office at Hatfield Peverel station for 21 years before she was forced to call time on her career due to poor health.

As a way of saying 'thank you', morning commuters gathered round to present her with flowers, a signed card and £285 which was raised through donations to an online fundraising page.

Pat said: "I'm just gobsmacked - I wasn't expecting the presentation at all. I love flowers, it was a lovely surprise.

"I'm gutted about leaving. It's lovely here, the customers are amazing and friendly.

"Friday is a bad day to retire because there are no customers and it's dead. I would have liked to see more."

She began her years on the railway by dispatching trains at Chelmsford station before going on to work at Witham and Marks Tey.

Pat then moved into the ticket office at Hatfield Peverel, where she has been working for the past ten years.

Passenger Kevin Dale, who organised the ceremony, said: "She has got a heart of gold, she cares about her community. Everyone will miss her.

"There's a great feeling of goodwill here and there has been a long tradition of community value, it's a friendly community. She gives us good advice, she's very caring for the families and people going up to London."

Commuter Allison Hinckley said: "She is just really helpful, she goes the extra mile. She has a real passion for customer service and looking after people.

"She will be a real loss when she goes, it won't be the same."

Greater Anglia’s Area Customer Service Manager, Simi Tinubu, said: "Pat is a wonderful woman with a great sense of humour and a passion for Hatfield Peverel.

"She always goes above and beyond for her passengers and her love for the community is genuine. She is a very much-loved member of the team and will be greatly missed by us all. We all wish Pat a great retirement."