“I can’t believe it is coming to an end after all this time,” said Diana Light as she retired after 35 years as a dinner lady at Arnewood School in New Milton.

She joined the school as a replacement for her mother-in-law Joan Light who had worked there for 27 years.

Every day since Diana joined, the school’s catering team has provided an average of 500 meals a day.

During her last week, headteacher Nigel Presnell presented her with a gift and a bunch of flowers.

Four out of five of Diana’s grandchildren – all of whom attend the school – were at the presentation as were her co-workers and family members.

Diana said, “I have seen many faces come and go over the years, but we have been lucky in the canteen and have always had a good team, I am really going to miss it.”

In her retirement Diana is planning to travel, spend more time in her garden and buy a puppy.

Nigel said: “We shall all miss Mrs Light, she has been one of Arnewood’s constants – a steadfast and loyal colleague, who has literally catered for generations of students in the past 35 years.

“We all wish her a long, happy and healthy retirement on hanging up her apron and ladle.

“The family has been in charge of school dinners for more than 60 years – serving up between them six or seven million meals.

“It is quite a record and means there are few locals who have gone through the school and haven’t been served by a Light.”