CHILDREN said their goodbyes to head teacher Cliff Cohen who has retired after 13 years at Gibfield special school, Colne.

There were presentations to Mr Cohen as a special afternoon assembly and at an evening party at the Great Marsden Hotel, Nelson, attended by staff, governors, other heads and friends.

He was presented with a digital camera and accessories purchased from a near £600 collection by Les Edwards, chairman of governors.

Gibfield has 132 pupils aged from four to 16 who have moderate learning difficulties.

Before moving to Colne Mr Cohen was deputy head at Queens Park special school, Manchester.

He is been chairman of the Lancashire Enterprise barge project which takes youngsters out on the canal and which is specially adapted to take wheelchairs.