A SCHOOL secretary who has seen generations of children pass through the school gates has retired.

Honoria Carr, aged 60, has said goodbye for the last time to hundreds of children at Holy Infants primary school in Astley Bridge after working at the school for more than 19 years.

Even before she began working at Holy Infants, she was pupil there herself, as were her four children, and two of her four grandchildren now attend the school.

Headteacher Catherine Lawton said: "She was great to me when I first joined because she knew everyone and everything that goes on. I don't know how we're going to replace her and we will all miss her."

Mrs Carr, a widow, who lives in Astley Bridge, said: "I'm retiring to enjoy spending time with my grandchildren, but I've had a lovely time here."

It's strange when you start seeing the children of children who have already attended the school. Parents come along and say: 'Are you still here?'."

"It's wonderful seeing the tiny ones starting school and then going on to do well at secondary school, and that they acknowledge me when I see them out and about."