A LONG-SERVING cook has bid farewell to the school at which she has worked for the last 35 years.

Maria Yoxall, 64, has provided lunches for the children at Snaresbrook College Prep School in Woodford Road, South Woodford, for the last 28 years, before which she spent another seven years working in a number of other jobs.

Mrs Yoxall said: “I came to work here as a cleaner, because I could bring my new baby daughter to work for a couple of hours a day.

“The eventually the cook had to retire and she couldn't work her notice, so I took on the job and somehow all these years later here we are.

“My husband John used to do the maintenance for the school until he retired and then after he stopped working her used to come in and help me run the breakfast club in the mornings, so he'll be leaving today as well.

“I'm terribly sad to leave, I've spent all these years working with lovely people in a lovely place, and I shall miss seeing the children every day as well.

“I've seen four generations of the Mattersons, who own the school, from the original owners that I knew to their great-grandchildren that are here now.”

She added: “I think my fondest memory was when my daughter Sarah, who's now 36, left the school and went up to Woodford County High.

“I was so proud of her and grateful for everything the school had done for her.

“I'm looking forward to spending more time with my husband, and my grandchildren: Daniella, who's three, and the twins Lucia and Alfie, who are nine months.”