Scores of former factory workers turned out to a reunion – the first in 20 years.

It was also a chance for former colleagues of Steve Blake, of Wendlebury, to say a poignant goodbye as the 57-year-old has terminal cancer.

About 150 former Bruce Engineering staff turned up for the ‘social evening’ at Bicester Ex-Services’ Club, Sheep Street.

The workmates also raised £1,100 for Cancer Research UK.

Organiser David Powell said: “It was really good fun and we have definitely started something.

“We are going to have another reunion before Christmas.

“I hadn’t seen some of them for 15 years – they just looked a bit older.

“We should have done it years ago, but we had a special reason and that is Steve. It has given him more energy to strive for more.”

The car parts manufacturer was based in Bessemer Close and closed in 1991.

It was reopened a year later as Chapman Engineering and was taken over by Lear Corporation, which closed in 2005. The site has been empty since then.