WHEN a previous cleaner left Richmond insurance brokers, B E Thompson and Company Ltd, Janet Kinchin was happy to help out for a while while management looked for a replacement.

That was 42 years ago - and even now, the family firm is not sure if it is going to find anyone to take her place.

"She's an institution. Now she's going, I'm even thinking of shutting up shop," managing director Peter Thompson joked yesterday.

"Her pride and loyalty to the cleaning of our suite of offices over all those years has been simply fantastic - it covers three floors, so the task has not been a small one.

"I am resigned to the fact that finding another Mrs Kinchin will be nigh on impossible."

Now in her 70s, Mrs K - as she is known by all the staff - says she's looking forward to a little more time to call her own.

"I have really enjoyed my time with Thompsons and meeting all the people who have come and gone over the years. Now, I'll be doing a bit of knitting and gardening and I love walking my dog. I'll just enjoy a quiet life," she said.

But she won't be severing her links with her friends completely.

Mrs Kinchin will continue to clean for Mr Thompson's father, Brian, at his home in Richmond.

"I just don't feel that I can let them down," she said.