A POPULAR dinnerlady who has been dishing up school lunches to generations of pupils has hung up her apron after more than four decades. 

Joan Troughton, 68, from Little Urswick, has been a school dinnerlady for 42 years. 

Last week she officially retired from Low Furness Primary School - a place she loves dearly. 

Mrs Troughton has worked at the school for 22 years and before that worked at Urswick Grammar School for 20 years. 

She has even had the pleasure of serving her children, grandchildren and a great-grandchild at her work.

She said: "I'm sad to be retiring - I would have carried on if it wasn't for ill health. 

"I enjoy seeing the different generations of families come through the school, I find that quite special."

The mother of three, grandmother of three and great-grandmother of two describes her time as a dinner lady as just "flying by". 

She said: "It's been a great 42 years. It doesn't feel like it's been that long, it's a pleasure to have worked here.

"There's a great team of people here at Low Furness and I'm really going to miss them all."

The dinnerlady, who is  highly thought of by so many people, has thanked her colleagues for "putting up" with her for so long. 

She said: "I will be keeping in touch to make sure they keep the tables in order. I will definitely miss dancing on the stage at Christmas." 

Headteacher at Low Furness, Sue Little, has described Mrs Troughton's retirement as the "end of an era". 

She said: "Low Furness is not Low Furness without her. It's been a pleasure working with Joan. The whole team will miss her greatly."