A NEW chapter has begun for Elizabeth Hitchen who has retired after 36 years as divisional children's librarian for East Lancashire.

And creche assistant Eileen Smith has had her share of changing nappies and drying tears during her 23 years service at the Burnley Thompson recreation centre creche for the under fives.

Now she is leaving, not for a quiet life, but to look after her new granddaughter, Lucy.

A leaving party was held in the Central Library, Burnley, for Elizabeth attended by her colleagues and friends.

She began her career in 1955 as a library assistant at Burnley Central Library, was appointed district children's librarian for Burnley in 1979 and became divisional children's librarian for East Lancashire in 1994 following a restructuring of the libraries department.

Divisional librarian John Hodgkinson said Elizabeth had dedicated her working career to children and young people and that she would be greatly missed by all her colleagues and friends.

Elizabeth is married with two children and three grandchildren.

Colleagues also gathered to say farewell and good luck to Eileen.

Pat Heaton said: "They say children keep you young and Eileen stands up to that, she has had only two weeks off work over the 23 years."

Eileen has close connections with Towneley Methodist Church and with her son Michael is a keen Burnley football supporter although husband Stuart and other son Philip don't share the same Clarets passion!

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