PUPILS bade a fond farewell to the woman who has provided their school meals for more than 27 years.When Lynne Smith, 57, started out at Caister Infants School in 1981, Dave Stewart and Adam and The Ants were topping the music charts and Prince Charles and Lady Diana got hitched.

PUPILS bade a fond farewell to the woman who has provided their school meals for more than 27 years.

When Lynne Smith, 57, started out at Caister Infants School in 1981, Dave Stewart and Adam and The Ants were topping the music charts and Prince Charles and Lady Diana got hitched.

Now the mother-of-two has decided to hang up her cooking utensils for the final time so she can spend more time travelling the country with her husband, police press officer Jon Smith.

Lynne has taken early retirement so she has the freedom to go away at any time of the year - as she was always restricted to school holidays - as well as the time to enjoy her passion for gardening.

Last Friday, pupils packed into a special school assembly to present her with a bag full of gifts, chocolates and a bouquet of flowers.

Lynne revealed her fondest memories of her time were when the cooking staff would dress up for school events, such as when they donned tennis whites to serve the children during Wimbledon fortnight or wore football kit to mark a special football occasion.

However, she said she would not miss the Christmas lunches when the staff had to prepare a traditional turkey feast for 300 children.

Lynne became involved with the school through her two former pupil daughters, Hayley, 33 and Kelly, 31 and said one of the biggest changes she had seen over the years had been in the school menus.

She used to have the freedom to choose her own range of foods, but now had a set menu provided by the government with healthy dishes.

And on her final day, her kitchen staff took responsibility for preparing the school dinner so she could enjoy a well-earned break.

She said: “I have had a good staff and we have all been together for a long time and that has made my job a lot easier as I don't have to manage them. I have been very lucky in that respect.

“It has always been a very happy school and the teachers are very dedicated. It is a lovely school and I will miss it.”