A SPECIAL education manager from Cherhill Primary School has retired after 20 years of service to spend more time with her three grandchildren.

Serena Morten, 58, of Tamarisk Close, Calne, joined the school in November 1996 and worked in a variety of roles from teaching assistant, one-to-one support, clerical assistant and special education manager ,which she held until the last day on July 22.

"I am quite excited, but I have a mixture of emotions at the moment because it is a long time to be at the school and obviously leaving the school and the kids is tough," Mrs Morten said.

"There were lots of tears from different people. They did a collection for me and got me a print of a puffin as I love birdwatching and they made this fabulous tree with fingerprints with the leaves printed by the primary school children and the apples printed by the reception class.

"I am just having my sitting room done so it will look absolutely wonderful!"

The school surprised Mrs Morten with a special assembly where the pupils presented her with the gifts.

She added: "Thank you to Cherhill Primary School for the opportunity and for all I have done there with the fantastic team, parents, children and governors but it has been a long time and I am looking forward to now spending more time with my family."