A TEACHER who has helped shape the next generation of a town has 'left a piece of her heart behind' after she retired.

Patricia Burns, known as Trish, was a teacher at Peel Park Primary School in Accrington for 26 years.

The assistant head bid farewell to the school with a 'This is Your Life' style assembly, which featured family, friends and hundreds of students past and present.

Mrs Burns said the school was 'in her blood' after her mother also taught there for 32 years and her two grandparents were on the schools honours board.

The 57-year-old said: "Every single day I enjoyed turning up to work and seeing the children and the staff.

"It's an outstanding school in every respect.

"I've left part of my heart with the school.

"It's the children, the young staff, just coming in everyday and watching them grow.

"The assembly was big surprise to see someone of the faces, and there was definitely a few tears."

The mother-of-two was raised in Oswaldtwistle and also taught in schools across Bury.

She also worked at the then Victoria Nursery School in Accrington before joining Peel Park in 1989.

She had a two year stint at St Andrews CE Primary School before the 'call of Peel Park was too strong'.

As assistant head at Peel Park for 12 years, Mrs Burns also worked with newly qualified and trainee teachers, which earned her the nickname 'mummy Trish'.

Her son Paul Burns, who is assistant headteacher at St Andrews CE Primary School in Oswaldtwistle said his mother was his 'inspiration'.

The 29-year-old said: "She was a massive influence for me and so many others.

"She helped me all through university and to get where I am now.

"She worked with so many young teachers and helped shaped the next generation.

"Because of that her legacy and a little part of her will go on teaching all over the country forever."

Mrs Burns received the Lancashire Telegraph lifetime achievement award at the East Lancashire School Awards in 2016.

Alison Padgett, headteacher at Peel Park, said: "She was an inspirational teacher that made a huge difference over the years to so many children in the Accrington area.

"She was really dedicated and has been absolutely loved.

"She would always have a class full of bright shiny eyed children handing off her every word.

"There will be a big hole left in the school now she has gone."

Mrs Burns now intends to spend time with her family and visit her apartment in Spain.