AN inspirational brother and sister have been celebrating more than 30 years working together at the same supermarket.

Stephen Flack, 51, and Janet Spurgeon, 53, have both been putting smiles on customers’ faces at Asda’s South Woodham Ferrers store for the past few decades.

They both started donning green uniforms in 1988, with Stephen starting in May and Janet in October.

Janet began working at the store 31 years ago, starting as a cleaner before working in the cafe for 20 years.

For the last three years she has worked on the checkouts.

Stephen works in the store’s warehouse and drops Janet off after work if they finish their shifts at the same time.

Janet said: “We’re two of a kind – the only difference is he’s tall and I’m little.

“I love working here and couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.

“I love chatting to customers and being friendly.

“I see the same faces and there are lots of people who know me by name – they always queue up to be on my checkout.

“I feel good when I’ve been to work – they’re nice customers.

“It’s about making the effort to chat to people, to take the time to know them and to be interested in them.

“My philosophy is to be good, be happy and live life to the full.

“It’s good working with my brother – he always looks out for me and drops me off after work if we finish at the same time.

“It was the same when we were growing up. As a child, I was never bullied because I had my big brother there to look after me.”

Janet has achondroplasia, a form of short-limbed dwarfism.

She broke her ankle falling off a bike in 2018 but stayed in hospital for eight weeks after suffering complications caused by asthma and lung problems.

Stephen said: “When she fell off her bike and really hurt herself, there was a time in hospital when we thought she wouldn’t pull through, but she did. She’s tough.

“It’s fantastic working in the same store as Janet.

“I’m quite lucky that I get to see her each day and get to wave at her when I’m on the shop floor.

“If she needs me, she knows where I am.

“I do try to look after her as best I can, but she is always quick to point out that I’m the younger brother and she’s the oldest.”

Store manager Neil Roots said: “Janet’s service is stunning and customers will go out of their way to go to her checkout because they love her.

“She’s a big personality in Asda – she’s got a very cheeky personality and every customer knows her.

“Although customers don’t see him as much, Stephen’s great at serving the store with everything he does behind the scenes in the warehouse.”

“They have a lovely connection and it’s so nice to see their brotherly and sisterly love.”