EMOTIONS were running high at a Trowbridge primary school as pupils and staff waved goodbye to a long-serving member of staff.

Finance officer Margaret Coward, 60, clocked off at Studley Green Primary School for the last time on Friday after 27 years of dedicated service.

Starting at the school in the mid 1970s as a welfare assistant, Mrs Coward, of Farleigh Avenue, Trowbridge, moved into the administration office in 1983.

Her two children Rachel, 35, and Adrian, 33, were pupils at the school which has been a major part of her life for the past 30 years.

"It was always going to be very hard walking away from the school," she said.

"When I first started there were no computers or photocopiers. We used a duplicating machine, manual typewriter and rubbers."

Former colleagues and pupils held a party for Mrs Coward at County Hall, while children presented her with hand made cards in a special assembly last Thursday.

Mrs Coward, whose husband retired at Easter, plans to spend more time visiting relatives and keeping her allotment in shape.