TEACHER Barbara Watson is packing her books away after 39 years in teaching -- 31 of them at the same school.

And Barbara has passed the teaching legacy on to her family. Her daughter is now teaching at the first school where Barbara first worked, and two of her three grandchildren are pupils at Sacred Heart, Blackburn, where she works.

Barbara's career started in 1964 when she taught at St Peter's Infant School, Blackburn.

She went on to teach in three schools in Bolton, returning to Blackburn in 1972.

"My 31 years at the school have been so rewarding," she said.

"I have really enjoyed working with the children and staff. I went into teaching, as I liked the thought of teaching children and passing on knowledge."

Now she plans to go away on holiday with her husband, children and grandchildren, take up art, gardening, and enjoy a relaxing break.

Paul Heaton, head teacher said: "Barbara has shown such commitment and dedication to both Sacred Heart school and the children in her care that it is no wonder that the standards in this school have been so high for so long."

Coun Mahfooz Hussain, executive member for education and lifelong learning on Blackburn with Darwen Council said: "I would like to thank Barbara for all the hard work and effort. It's a remarkable achievement, a hard act to follow and I wish her all the best for the future."