A TEACHING assistant who has been with the same Rawtenstall school for 34 years is retiring.

Janina Nuttall, 65, has worked with the great-grandchildren of her former pupils since joining St James the Less RC Primary in 1980.

After delaying retirement by five years because she loves her job so much, Mrs Nuttall, from Waterfoot, now plans to visit her grandchildren in Australia and spend time gardening.

Mrs Nuttall, of Burnley Road East, who has two children, five grandchildren and one great-grandchild, said: “From the first day I started here I felt completely at home. The staff were amazing, the children were gorgeous and I loved the atmosphere. The children are just so lovely. I’m definitely going to come back and volunteer for school trips.”

Ann-Marie O’Neill, deputy head of the school in Unity Way, said: “We really value Janina. She does a lot for school. We’re sad to be saying goodbye, but she’s done enough.”