Dinner lady Margaret Langley has finally left school after more than 40 years, having dished-up thousands of meals to hundreds of children and made sure they all behaved themselves during lunch break.

Mrs Langley, 66, of Charlton, felt the time was right to leave Lea and Garsdon Primary School, but it was not an easy decision and she did not go without shedding a few tears.

She said: “I’m still not sure that I’ve done the right thing. It’s going to be a terrible wrench. I’ve really enjoyed the job.

“I’ve loved watching the children grow up and then, years later, seeing their own children having their lunches at the school.”

Mother-of-two Mrs Langley began working as a dinner lady at Charlton Village School 41 years ago, shortly before it was amalgamated into Lea and Garsdon School.

For the first 18 years she dished up school dinners before taking on the role of lunchtime supervisor.

“It’s been really great working at the school and getting to know so many children,” she said.

Mrs Langley – whose two children attended the school, as did two of her five grandchildren – was hoping her final lunch session would pass off without ceremony.

She said: “I didn’t want any fuss. I’m not that sort of person. I was hoping to creep out the back door.”

But the staff and teachers were having none of it and they surprised her with a presentation. She said: “They were all waiting there in the school hall for me. It was very emotional.”

She was presented with a bouquet of flowers, a bottle of champagne, £50 worth of vouchers and a giant apron-shaped card made by the children.

She said: “Oh gosh, I was in tears. I tried not to but I couldn’t help it. The children were in tears, too. I’m going to miss them so much.”