STAFF and pupils at a Darwen primary school paid tribute to a "wonderful" headteacher by throwing a surprise party as she left them to seek out sunnier shores.

Pauline Livesy left Ashleigh school after four years at the helm to jet off to Auckland, in New Zealand, where she is planning a return to classroom teaching.

The married mother-of-two, formerly head of St James' in Lower Darwen, broke down in tears as she told the staff and 243 pupils at the Ross Street school how much she had enjoyed working with them.

Deputy headteacher David Jennings paid tribute to her work, saying: "Mrs Livesy has had a wonderful impact on the school in the time she's been here and has worked hard to create a real family atmosphere."

New headteacher Christine Henderson joins the school in September.