A TOP teaching trio have just said farewell to King Edward VII and Queen Mary school in Lytham after a period of exceptional service.

Teachers Gordon Grundy, Sheila Rousseau and Ron Naylor have served at King Edward and Queen Mary School for a combined total of nearly 80 years.

Gordon Grundy was head of the Art Department for 27 years while mathematician Sheila Rousseau joined Queen Mary School in 1980 and has proved an asset to the school, said principal Julian Wilde.

Ron Naylor joined the school in 1966 and has had a distinguished career as the head of modern languages.

Mr Naylor recently won a National Teaching Award for lifetime achievement and with it came a prize of £3,500 for the school.

Mr Wilde paid tribute to his three retiring colleagues when he said: "Hardwork, loyalty and a commitment to academic excellence have been their watchwords.

"A school benefits greatly from a stable and caring staff and Gordon, Sheila and Ron have been shining examples to us all."

The long serving trio received retirement gifts from pupils, staff and governors of the school and all three of the teachers plan to use their well-earned retirement to travel around Britain and Europe.

Pictured here l-r are Ron Naylor, Sheila Rousseau and Gordon Grundy.