It was an emotional day at the Grove Pre-school in Dorchester when a long-serving member of staff retired.

Parents, staff and children gathered at the pre-school in Damers Road to celebrate the career of senior play leader, Linda White and bid her farewell as she retired after 25 years of service.

Play group coordinator, Cheryl Graham said: "Linda has contributed so much to the play group, the children and the families that pass through. She's been an important member of the group for a long time."

Staff and the parent's committee presented Linda with a special cake and a wooden carved lamp which Cheryl said was because Linda "shone a light on so many children's lives" and the pre-school children each drew a picture of their face which was presented to Linda as a card.

Cheryl has worked at the Grove for 30 years and remembers hiring Linda back in 1993.

"I feel quite emotional. When you have worked with someone for 25 years, it becomes part of the fabric of your own life," she said.

The Grove Pre-school opened in 1984 in the old art centre building in the Grove, which it was named after. In 1997 the pre-school was awarded a grant to revamp the care-takers bungalow and it moved site shortly after.

Linda said: "It's changed an awful lot since I started. I started out just doing two mornings a week and it progressed from there. Now I see children coming back with their children. There are lots of happy memories and lots of fun things that we've done over the years.

"I'm going to miss all the children and watching them grow up. They are so wonderful. I thought I was going to be cool today but I've had a little cry."

But Linda said she is looking forward to taking some time for herself.

"The first thing I'm going to do is chill. I'm going to go somewhere warm but I haven't decided where yet and I have a caravan so I'm sure there will be lots of impromptu adventures," she said.

Chair of the parents committee, Kim Whitfield said: "We are really grateful for everything Linda has done. She's always been such a kind and patient person and an absolutely brilliant member of the care team. We wish her all the best of luck. It's well deserved."