ONE of the longest-serving staff members at a Hereford school has retired after almost 30 years.

Margaret Moses joined St Paul's Primary School in 1980 and has since worked as a welfare assistant, classroom assistant and receptionist, with the occasional change of role to help with dinnerlady duties.

In her time at the Hampton Dene Road school, Mrs Moses has worked for three different headteachers and waved thousands of pupils on to secondary school - some of whom returned to St Paul's as teachers many years later.

To celebrate her time there and to wish her well during retirement, staff and pupils arranged a surprise party where they released 150 balloons into the Tupsley sky.

"It was a wonderful afternoon and a total surprise," said Mrs Moses, who turns 60 in September.

"I will really miss everyone at the school. There has always been a wonderful atmosphere here and we are like one big family. Everyone gets on so well."

Teachers past and present joined more than 400 pupils on the school field, where an afternoon of games took place following the balloon release.

"I can't believe it's been almost 30 years. At the start of this year, one of the former pupils joined as a teacher which made me realise how long I have been here!"

A six week summer break now beckons - but St Paul's School will be without a familiar face when term begins again in September.

"It will be strange not going back," Margaret added.

"But my husband and I plan to have a holiday and spend a bit more time in the garden."