Long service in the Coates group of companies was recognised at a special event in London last week.

The Coates & Cray Valley Twenty-Five Year Club welcomed 29 new members into its ranks at its 46th annual dinner, attended by more than 230 club members.

An original oil painting of the late John B Coates copies of which hang in all Coates companies worldwide was presented back to his daughters Phyllida Youngman and Gillian McGregor.

"Mr John" was the grandson of co-founder George Coates, and ran the company from 1948 until 1977.

Speakers praised Coates foresight and commitment to staff development.

John Gowlett, managing director of Coates Lorilleux and a corporate vice president at Sun Chemical, which acquired Coates last year, said: "Our objective is to keep the name and culture of the Coates business in the marketplace. John Coates left a legacy to the company and the whole ink industry, and the current and future management will draw from those strengths."

A special presentation was also made to John Walters, president of the club and the former managing director of Coates Brothers.