TEACHER Gillian Walton has spent 20 years at Ingleton Primary School and never had a day off.

Not bad for someone who took the job intending to give it a week!

Mrs Walton, of Giggleswick, has never missed a day in her career at the village school.

She said: "I have been very lucky - and determined.

"I really do enjoy my job. I have seen a lot of changes in education, but the children, the five and six-year-olds I teach, haven't changed. They still have this wonderful enthusiasm and a real longing to read and write.

"From the minute you set foot in school you are totally absorbed in the children's world and that's a great privilege."

Mrs Walton, who lives in Giggleswick, initially became a local supply teacher after having her own family. In fact, she taught her current classroom assistant, Diane Jeffery, at Settle Middle School.

She was later offered the post at Ingleton.

Mrs Walton told the Herald: "I said I would give it a week because I had never taught such young children before and now it's been 20 years.

"Ingleton is a lovely school to work in, with a lovely staff and parents."

Headteacher Dawn Harvey said: "Gillian is absolutely adored by children, loved by parents and is a real asset to the school.

"Her energy and positive outlook is invaluable. She has such a youthful buzz about her. I have never heard her moan at all, she loves her job and is inspirational."

Mrs Walton continues a remarkable record for Ingleton's five and six-year-olds. For the last 70 years there have been just three teachers in charge of that class at the school: Kathy Townson, Miss North and now Mrs Walton.

"It must be quite unusual for the same class to have had just three teachers over so many years," said Mrs Walton.