PRIMARY school pupils yesterday said goodbye to long-serving dinner lady Maureen McElvaney as she cooked her last school meal.

The mother-of-four and grandmother-of-seven was the longest-serving school cook in east Cleveland after 31 years of keeping children fed and happy.

The assistant cook at Whale Hill Primary School, in Eston, allowed herself a little nostalgia as she retired the day before her 65th birthday.

She said: "I can look back at lots of happy memories. Children I served are bringing their children now - and I am still here! And when I see them around town, they always shout: 'There's cook!'"

Mrs McElvaney began work when the first of her four sons started school, beginning her career as a dinner nanny at Alderman William Jones School, in Grangetown.

Two years later, she became kitchen assistant at Whale Hill, where she has been assistant cook for about ten years.

Headteacher Norma Newell said: "She's been a wonderfully loyal and committed member of our staff, who has always got a smile on her face. "We will miss her enormously and it goes without saying she will be very hard to replace."