SCHOOL dinner lady Rita Webster has certainly made a meal of her career.

And last Friday (Nov 24) she marked a quarter-of-a-century's service in the kitchens of St Mary's RC primary School.

Staff, pupils and colleagues at the Belgrave Street school surprised Mrs Webster (54) of Moss Shaw Way with a bouquet of flowers.

"I really like the job," said Mrs Webster, pictured centre with colleagues (back, from left) Jenny Austin, Julie Birtwistle and Carol Kaye and pupils Lauren Nurassi (6), and Ryan Minshull (6).

"I began at St Mary's when my daughter started school here. I like the children and it's nice because there's quite a few of my colleagues who have worked here even longer than me so they have become more like friends."