Deputy head Pam Megaw and teacher Elly Lane were given a touching farewell assembly last Wednesday (July 16) at Long Marston Primary School, near Tring.

Mrs Megaw has been at the school for 18 years and is looking forward to spending her retirement enjoying walking outings and continuing her volunteer work with 1st Tring Scout Group.

Youngsters presented her with a card in the shape of a rucksack to represent her love of walking, which contained messages from all the school's children.

She said: "I have been inundated with flowers and presents.

"I think this is the right decision but it is a very hard decision to make."

Meanwhile, after 24 years at the school, Mrs Lane plans to make a new life closer to her family in the north-east where she is looking forward to spending time with her grandson who is almost a year old.

She was given a card shaped like a removal van made by youngsters and children in her class presented her with a book containing photographs of themselves.

Mrs Lane said: "I will miss the school and miss the children, but I'm looking forward to my future."