WELL, this was one way to flag up a momentous occasion for Remploy in York.

Bill Farrell and David Nicholls, who between them have clocked up 80 years' service at the factory in Redeness Street, York, celebrated the diamond anniversary of the organisation, which provides jobs for disabled people.

The York factory opened in 1946, only a year after the first Remploy building opened in Bridgend, South Wales. Today, Remploy York is part of the company's textiles business, creating high-quality garments for the US military.

Originally the York building was part of a network of factories throughout the country to employ ex-service men and women injured in the Second World War.

Nowadays the brief is much wider, providing jobs and training in all parts of the economy as well as within its own factories.

Working closely with government programmes like Workstep and New Deal For Disabled People, it helps more than 5,500 people with a range of physical and mental disabilities to find work every year.

It also supports 4,500 people in employment with other organisations and more than 5,500 people on its own sites.

Carl Ventress, manager of Remploy York, applauded Bill and David as they raised the 60th anniversary emblem. He said: "Over its 60-year history Remploy has evolved into a very special company, and our long-serving and loyal workers here in York are proof of that."

Updated: 11:26 Monday, February 07, 2005