A TEACHER who has worked in the Colne Valley since the 1960s has retired.

But Nancy Clarke has no intention of putting her feet up - she's going to join a gym!

Mrs Clarke, who has retired after 26 years at Scapegoat Hill Junior and Infant School, said: "I've always wanted to join a gym, so now I'm going to do it."

She has always worked with infant children and began as a teacher at Marsden Infant and Nursery School in 1966. She then went to Nields Junior, Infant and Nursery in Slaithwaite.

She took a career break and had her children, Andrew and Gill, before joining Scapegoat Hill Junior and Infant.

"I came just for a term," she said. "But never left.

"I've loved teaching the really little ones. That first year at school is the most important stage of their education and it's such a family atmosphere at small schools."

Mrs Clarke, of Linthwaite, has two grandchildren, seven-year-old Luke and Demelia, five.

Former pupils and friends joined her at the school to celebrate her retirement.