YOU'RE A STAR!: Kitchen assistant Beryl Early with pupils of Burton Green Infants' School in York, for whom she has been cooking dinners for 25 years

After cooking dinners for schoolchildren for more than 30 years, kitchen assistant Beryl Early retired from Burton Green Infants' School in York today.

Beryl, who is 60 on Christmas Day, has worked in school kitchens for 32 years, and has been at Burton Green for the last 25.

To mark her retirement, pupils gave her with a hand-made book which included pictures of herself and which they had all signed.

She also received a crystal clock, a crystal ornament and a flower arrangement.

Beryl, from Huntington, said: "It was a very weepy day. I've enjoyed it very much here. There are some great staff and it's been a lovely job."

She said she had worked with four different head teachers at the school and felt like she was part of the fittings, but was looking forward to taking it easy.

Head teacher Sally Taylor said: "We're all very sad and we'll miss her.

" She's been a member of the team for a long time and it will be strange not seeing her in January."

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