Emotional farewell for Woolies' staff.

(From The Journal)

Byline: Dave Black

EMOTIONAL workers at Woolworths stores in the North were drowning their sorrows at farewell parties last night.

Stores in Morpeth, Alnwick and Whitley Bay were among a further 150 across the UK to close yesterday - with the rest due to follow early next week.

Everything - including fixtures and fittings - was being sold off at hugely discounted prices in the run-up to the chain's final collapse, which will leave 27,000 workers facing redundancy.

For two employees at the Morpeth store, yesterday's final day of trading was especially poignant for different reasons.

Shop assistant Susan Chrisp, 48, was fighting back the tears as she finished work for the final time at the Bridge Street store after 32 years' service.

And store manager Scott Wallace, 37, has been made …