CATERING manager Jan Carter has hung up her apron after 27 years of serving school meals at John Hanson School.

Jan, aged 60, retired from the post as half term arrived and received a fond farewell from colleagues.

"I'll miss the ladies but I won't miss the early mornings, the workload or the responsibilities," the grandmother said. "I felt it was time to retire!"

Jan, of St Hubert Road, started as a catering assistant at the Andover school to fit in with her two children and worked her way up to the top position.

"I took the challenge of moving to the new school, set that up and got it running efficiently and then thought I would call it a day," she said.

"I've seen so many changes over the years, particularly the differences in the way the food is presented, but there are still rules and regulations you have to stick by."