A TEACHER who has worked to promote conservation of the environment at her school for 35 years is set to retire.

Frances Duxbury will step down from her position as Year One and Year Two teacher at St Mary’s RC Primary School in Oswaldtwistle at the end of term.

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The 58-year-old has built up a reputation as being eco-friendly and was involved with many of the school’s science projects.

She said that she “absolutely loved” her time at the Mayfield Avenue school and that now she was planning on travelling and visiting her family.

The 58-year-old, who lives in Hurst Green, said: “In 2000 we brought a stream through the grounds and I think, for me, that was the starting point of trying to develop an environmentally friendly school.

“I have absolutely loved working with the children at St Marys, and everyone that comes to this school has always said it has a lot of heart.

“Everyone at the school has been amazing throughout the years and I have always said I wouldn’t have stayed this long in a place that I didn’t love.

“I have been given some lovely gifts from the children, staff and even some jewellery from Lancashire County Council.”

Mrs Duxbury joined St Mary’s in 1981, the same year in which she married her husband Stewart.

The mum-of-three said: “We’ve got a lot of things lined up in the New Year like spending more time with my daughters and see more of the world.

“In January we are flying out to see my daughter Alexandra in Thailand who is expecting a baby, then returning to my other daughter Rachel for her marriage in Manchester.”

Office manager Denise Reading, who has worked with Mrs Duxbury for 20 years, said that she has “done so much for the children.”

She said: “She’s always been such a lovely teacher, but she’s said it’s her time to go, and she wants to retire.

“Frances taught my children and I’m always grateful that she was the one to do that, she’s a great teacher.

“She’s been very kind to the staff and we will always remember what she’s done.”

Mrs Duxbury will be succeeded by Jennifer Shepherd for the next school year.