A CATERING firm run by two sisters has served up its final fare after 45 years of trading.

Upton-based Bishops Catering started out in the summer of 1979 with a spread for the birthday party of Grand National-winning racehorse trainer Fred Rimell.

But now Kim, 66, and Tracey Bishop, 64, will enjoy a well-earned retirement after feeding folk at thousands of weddings, funerals and other special events with many laughs and challenges on the way.

Tracey recalled: "We have catered for Princess Anne and Princess Margaret at the Three Counties Showground, Tony Hadley and Rick Astley which was fantastic and he (Tony) sang Gold, Alan Titchmarsh, Laa-Laa from the Teletubbies, Penelope Keith and Richard Wilson and Butch Dingle from Emmerdale.

"We have written half-a-speech for a groom because he lost it and dealt with marquees falling down and electricity and gas not working but have always pulled it out of the bag and made things wonderful.

"We've had a great relationship with our clients and have never spent a penny on advertising. It's all been through word of mouth. We have always given 110 per cent as you're only as good as your last function.

"One day we catered for almost 800 people with a centenary gala dinner for Morgan and a wedding in Bredon. It was a resounding success.

"We also fed 350 Gurkhas our curry and they absolutely loved it.

"We have loved it but we could not have operated without the huge support and loyalty from our staff."

The sisters' kitchen unit has been based in Backfields Lane, the road where they were both born.

At a party to mark the finale, Kim and Tracey, of Earl's Croome and Longdon respectively, were toasted for their "dogged determination, professionalism and sheer hard work" covering Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and Shropshire.

A toast was also made to thank the staff with many attending Earl's Croome Village Hall, including 91-year-old stalwart Trevor Jones.

An article by Worcester News and Malvern Gazette writer Mike Pryce was done on their 30th anniversary and it was made part of a card that everyone could sign on the day.

Kim and Tracey will always remember tractors towing vans on and off fields at numerous weddings through floods, mud, sleet and snow, wearing head torches, wellington boots and big hats, cooking by torch light and washing up in baby baths.