For 36 years she has guided pupils on their journey through Wendron Primary School but now beloved teaching assistant Pauline Hewish has waved them off one last time.

To show their appreciation for Mrs Hewish on her retirement, current staff, parents and pupils organised a surprise party that proved to be both a joyful and emotional occasion.

Past pupils and staff from the school were invited to join the event, and they included the three headteachers Mrs Hewish has worked for: Tony Rule, Lesley Pitchford and current head Richard Lawrence.

Former pupils Milly, Molly and Eve, now attending Helston Community College, returned to sing a song for their former teaching assistant, accompanied by fellow past pupil Joseph. The current school choir also sang for her.

Mrs Hewish was presented with lots of gifts, among them an illustration of a tree, with pupils' fingerprints as leaves and the message "Thank you for helping us grow."

She was also given a cake decorated with a slate and apple, and surrounded by icing pencils.

The school said: "We would like to thank her for the hard work and support she has given over the years."

Since joining the school in 1982, Mrs Hewish has mainly been attached to Grylls class and also ran the school library.