Trish Stephenson, head of HR, helped her husband Chris set up Stephensons in 1977, and has watched it grow into one of the region's largest legal practices, with 25 partners and more than 450 staff across seven offices in Wigan, Leigh, Manchester, Bolton and St Helens.

Trish, who is from Leigh but now lives in Culcheth with Chris, a senior partner at Stephensons, will celebrate her retirement with a holiday in France, before dedicating more time to her family, friends and charity work. In earlier years, Trish managed the office and the accounts, and in the late 1980s, she took charge of the human resources department.

She said: "I never thought all those years ago I would still be here.
"When Chris set up the firm, I thought I would help him get started and then I would step back. But 30 years has gone by so fast.
"Many couples don't like living together and working together but I have to say we really do get on and I've enjoyed working so closely together for all this time.

"There have been ups and downs as with any business but the main highlights include being awarded Investor in People status, all the fund-raising for our chosen charities over the years and watching members of staff grow within the firm.
"Many of our partners, solicitors and support staff started their careers here and it has been satisfying to watch them develop.

"I've been brushing up on my French in preparation for my holiday, and I'm looking forward being a lady of leisure."
She has two grown up children, and is the treasurer of the West Lancashire Breakthrough Breast Cancer charity.