AFTER a lifetime spent teaching in Southampton's schools, Beryl Hood is finally saying goodbye to her pupils for the last time.

She is retiring after ten years at the helm of Hollybrook Infant School.

Teachers at the 190-pupil school organised a special reception for her to mark the occasion.

And youngsters aged from four to seven will this week hold an assembly to bid their head teacher a fond farewell.

Mrs Hood, 56, started her teaching career in 1967 at Sholing Infant School before moving to Weston Shore Infant as deputy head teacher in 1990.

"Teaching has always been interesting and stimulating," said Mrs Hood.

"It is never boring. All the pupils, teachers and other people connected with school life make it a very interesting job."

Now Mrs Hood is looking forward to spending more time with her husband and spending her spare time enjoying her hobbies, including gardening and tennis.