The head cook at Dearham Primary School has retired after nine years at the school.

Eleanor Rothery, 62, hung up her apron for the final time yesterday.

She has worked as a school cook across Cumbria since the age of 18, after leaving catering college in Workington, but describes her time at Dearham as the best of her career.

Mrs Rothery said: "I can easily say this has been the happiest nine years I have spent in the job.

"There's a team of five of us and we get on so well. I have a totally stress-free existence here."

Mrs Rothery did supply work for Cumbria County Council for the first 10 years of her career, before taking a four-year break when she had her daughter Sarah.

She then worked at Cockermouth School as a catering supervisor before moving to Stainburn School for 14 years and then to Dearham.

In recent months Mrs Rothery, of South Street, Cockermouth, has had the added pleasure of serving her granddaughter Imogen Noble, five, who is in year one at the school.

She said: "It's been lovely. All the years I have done the job I never cooked Sarah a meal at school so it's nice to do it for Imogen."

Having overcome cancer in the last year, Mrs Rothery has decided now is the time to put down her oven gloves and spend more time focusing on her health and spending time with her elderly mother.

She will also spend time with her husband, Harry.

She said: "He works part time now so he'll be dragging me out on the fells with the dogs.

"I've enjoyed working with all the staff at the school.

"They have been very kind to me."

An assembly was due to be held yesterday to bid farewell to Mrs Rothery.

Headteacher Samantha Kidd said: "She's made a huge contribution to the school and she'll be very much missed."