A LONG-serving teaching assistant has been axed from her job after being told she was too old to work.

Pat Jones, 67, has worked at Gawthorpe School in Burnley for more than 20 years and said she was devastated at the decision to let her go.

She described the policy, introduced by the school's board of governors, as "immoral and unethical" and said she had a huge amount left to contribute to the school.

Her protest has been backed by Burnley MP Peter Pike who said the policy was ageist.

Pat, who lives in Hapton, said: "I was absolutely devastated when I was told I wouldn't be able to work any more.

"If it was the case that I didn't feel I was able to make a difference or contribute anything I wouldn't mind, in fact I would have left of my own accord, but I feel I have got so much left to give.

"It's perverse that because someone gets to a certain age they shouldn't be allowed to work anymore. This is an immoral and unethical policy."

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said: "Each school is able to determine its own policy for retaining staff aged 65 or over. The education authority sets out a policy along national guidelines which schools can use as a basis for their own policy.

"Each individual case is determined separately by the school's board of governors."

Staff at Gawthorpe refused to comment on Pat's predicament, but Age Concern said a person's age should not be the sole consideration when decisions are made about employment. The spokesman added: "Sixty seven isn't a great age these days anyway, is it?"