OXFORD’s oldest theatre worker celebrated her 90th birthday in style yesterday, when colleagues threw a surprise party.

Peggy Barson, from Radley, has been working at the New Theatre in George Street for a staggering 70 years.

She started there in 1940, when she was aged just 19.

And manager Jamie Baskeyfield insisted she had been an asset ever since.

He said: “Anybody who still shows that kind of commitment to work is just incredible, it is really unique.

“It sounds like a cliche to say she is lovely, but that’s what Peggy is – lovely.”

Family, friends and staff lined the foyer of the theatre and burst into applause when she came in. They then presented the box office stalwart with a bouquet of flowers, chocolates, and gifts.

Among the presents was a card and signed picture from singer Daniel O’Donnell, who remains Mrs Barson’s favourite act to pass through the theatre.

She met the star in April and said he was “a lovely man”.

And, as if that wasn’t enough, all 151 cast members from the theatre’s latest show, Fame, then sang Happy Birthday to her from the stage.

Mrs Barson, who will actually turn 90 on Saturday, said she was overwhelmed with the celebrations.

She said: “I did not suspect a thing, so it was a lovely surprise. Working at the theatre is just as good as it has ever been, we are still one big happy family.”

The widow, whose husband Maurice passed away 23 years ago, lives in Radley. Her son Derek, 65, from Headington, and daughter Christine, 56, from Abingdon, visit regularly and she has six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Her other son, Maurice, died of cancer at the age of 50.

Good friend and colleague Laurie Bradford helped to organise the party. She worked with Mrs Barson for 30 years in the box office before moving to the stage door, and said her friend had seen a lot of changes.

She said: “When Peggy started work, you had to manually write bookings on to a calendar on the wall and then add up the cash at the end of the day.”

Mrs Barson’s daughter Christine, who was also at the party, said: “She loves this job, I think the theatre is what keeps her going.”

Mr Baskeyfield agreed: “I think she gets as much out of the theatre as we do from having her around.

“It will be a very sad day for us all if Peggy ever decides to retire. But she will always be a part of the theatre now. We have two special seats set aside for her with plaques on, so she can see a show whenever she likes.”