For the past 20 years, Alison Pryor has been lovin’ her job as a lobby host for a McDonald’s restaurant in Kent.

The 65-year-old first joined the fast food giant at its former Ramsgate site in 2003 and then, after its closure in 2015, moved to the chain’s Westwood Cross outlet.

Her job is to meet and greet customers and ensure the area is clean and tidy – but along the way, she has also become an unofficial “agony aunt” and friend to many customers.

Such is her popularity, Alison is regularly recognised and stopped in the street by customers, who affectionately call her “the McDonald’s lady”.

News of her retirement this week has been met with sadness, including from her fellow team members.

Manager Richard King says she is hugely popular with customers.

“Alison is a really friendly, bubbly person and a hard worker, so the perfect lobby host,” he said.

“She’s been a great asset to the business and she will be very much missed but we wish her a happy and well deserved retirement.”

Alison, who lives in Guildford Lawn in Ramsgate with husband Bob, says she will miss the customers and staff but feels it’s “time for a rest”.

“I hear all their stories and troubles so I feel like a bit of an agony aunt sometimes...”

“It’s been a 6am start for many years and the work is pretty hard physically because you are on your feet and on the go all the time,” she said.

But many regulars will miss the familiar face as they pop in for their Big Macs and McFlurrys.

“I’ve got to know quite a lot of them over the years and we’re on first name terms,” she said.

“I hear all their stories and troubles so I feel like a bit of an agony aunt sometimes.

“They even occasionally bring me in treats, like cakes.

“But it’s time to go now as my legs have been playing up a bit lately.”

Mum-of-two Alison, who is also a grandmother, used to work for nearby Hornby Hobbies until a job came up at McDonald’s.

“It’s tempting to dip into the menu, of course, and I have to admit my favourite is a chicken wrap but I try not to have it every day,” she said.

Husband Bob added: “I’m very proud of Alison because she really is appreciated by so many customers who speak highly of her.”

Alison says she is now looking forward to morning lie-ins and a holiday.