DINNER lady Rita Collins will be hanging up her apron after more than three decades at Liden Primary School.

The school's 320 pupils will be waving goodbye to the 65-year-old at an end of term barn dance on July 22.

Rita has worked as a midday supervisor for 33 years, looking after thousands of youngsters in Liden.

"I am really going to miss it here," she said.

"I have never really wanted to move on, I have some great friends here and have enjoyed working with the children."

Rita first joined Liden Infants School when it was nothing but a mobile classroom.

Since then the school has grown before merging with the junior school to become a primary school.

Rita took up the job when her son Pete started at Liden aged six.

"We'd come across from London where I had been a midday supervisor at Pete's last school," she said.

"If I count that, I have done this job for around 35 years.

"I remember coming in when I dropped Pete off and asked then headmaster Trevor Owen if I could have a job.

"He walked over to my house a couple of days later and said he'd like me to start as soon as possible."

Rita is now the longest serving member of staff at the primary school.

The second longest serving staff member is her colleague and partner in crime' Barbara Laverick, who joined the school in 1982.

Barbara said: "Rita will be missed, it'll be quiet without her and the children will miss her a lot."

Rita added: "The biggest change I have noticed is in the school dinners.

"They are healthier and children have started bringing in more fruit to school.

"Some still try to get away with leaving it but on the whole food is a lot healthier."

Rita - who has been married to husband Jim for 47 years - now plans to spend her retirement visiting friends and family and relaxing on holiday.

Liden headteacher Paul Kohn said: "I took over as Rita's boss 20 years ago and she's been nothing but trouble and mischief ever since.

"In all seriousness though, I am very sad to lose such a dedicated member of staff who my colleagues respect for her hard work and who the children adore for her kind manner.

"Rita has been a real asset to the school and it's very much an understatement to say we're sorry to see her go."