A MIRFIELD teacher has never taken a day off sick in 36 years.

Jennie Dransfield is retiring as deputy head of Crossley Fields Junior and Infant School.

Mrs Dransfield started teaching at Bradwell Infant School in Suffolk in 1968.

She married husband Peter, a Yorkshireman, in 1972 and moved to Mirfield.

She worked at Battyeford Firs t School until 1986, when she became deputy head teacher at Wellhouse First School.

She then became deputy head at Crossley Fields.

Mrs Dransfield puts her amazing record down to a healthy lifestyle.

She said: "I keep in good health. I eat sensibly. I'm just very fortunate. I come from a family who have good health."

Seventy-two colleagues, past and present, met at the school for a celebration of Mrs Dransfield's career.

Last Thursday the pupils threw a celebration to show their appreciation of her.

The pupils, parents and teachers clubbed together to buy her a digital camera, to use on her planned travels to Australia, America and Switzerland.

She said: "The hard bit will be leaving the children. They have always come first with me.

"I shall still come and see them from time to time," she added.

* Can you beat Mrs Dransfield's clean bill of health? Phone us on 01484 437767 with details.