A NURSERY teacher from Barrow says she will miss the smiles, laughs and "funny, little stories" of her pupils the most following her retirement.

Jane Jackson, who has worked at Ramsden Infant and Nursery School for 21 years, received the Bouquet of the Week during her last week at the central Barrow school.

Mrs Jackson, of Derbyshire Road, Barrow, has retired from the role she has enjoyed so much and was given a beautiful send-off from pupils, parents and colleagues in assembly. The Bouquet of the Week was an added surprise.

The 58-year-old has worked as nursery manager and assistant during her two decades at Ramsden Infants and will look back fondly on many memories after she finished her final summer term on Thursday.

Speaking after being presented with the Bouquet of the Week, Mrs Jackson said: "It was really good. It was a big surprise. I wasn't expecting it.

"I'm going to miss just seeing the children and seeing them develop and learn and get on socially with each other - you see how the children grow before your eyes.

"I'm going to miss everybody that I work with because it's a lovely school and I have enjoyed working with all the people here.

"I'm going to miss the children, their funny, little stories and the things they say."

Mrs Jackson hopes to spend more time with her grandchildren and go on more holidays with her family now that she has retired.

She also recalls how in recent years she had started to teach children of her former pupils.

She said: "I have had a few parents who I taught when they were three and four and their children have come through.

"It's been a privilege working with all the families of the children who have been through nursery."

In the school's Bouquet of the Week nomination, Mrs Jackson was described as an "amazing, caring, compassionate lady" who has given years of high quality teaching.