Staff and pupils are saying farewell to their retiring school secretary, who is one of the longest serving in the Bradford district.

Mary Soutar, 65, of Thackley, who has seen thousands of pupils, parents and staff come and go since starting work at Shipley Church of England Primary School in 1967, retires on Friday.

Alan Davy, headteacher of the Otley Road school, said: "Everyone will miss her desperately

"For the last 34 years she's been the person everyone's always turned to - she's totally reliable, very tactful and someone who's always given me her full support.

"You think of this school and you think of Mary Soutar so it's going to be very difficult without her next year.''

A farewell party, attended by staff and governors past and present, is due to be thrown for Mrs Soutar, who is married with one daughter, at Northcliffe Golf Club tonight.