A school caretaker has retired after 29 years working at Manor Park School in Douglas.

Val Moffatt, who lives in Douglas, said goodbye after a special presentation was made to her at a school assembly by the schoolchildren.

Val, aged 60, was presented with a Fitbit, which measures data such as the number of steps walked, heart rate, quality of sleep, steps climbed, and other personal metrics involved in fitness.

Head teacher at the Pulrose Road school Riss Forrester said: ’Today saw a sad day for us here at Manor Park.

’Val has seen a huge number of children and families pass through the school and has forged many strong friendships at the school with colleagues and parents alike, whilst working under six different head teachers.

’ She has been an integral part of the school and community for almost three decades. She will be greatly missed.

’We all wish her well and a very happy retirement.’

Val said that she had wanted a Fitbit and she was also presented with a bouquet of flowers by the children at the assembly.

She said: ’I first started as a cleaner 29 years ago when Alan Lynch was the headmaster.

’It was roughly around a year later that I became the caretaker.

’I have seen a lot of changes at the school over the years.

’There have been six different head teachers while I have been working there, eight if you include two acting head masters as well.

’It was an open-plan school when I first started, so there were no actual classrooms.’

Asked what she will miss the most now she has left the school, Val said: ’To be honest I will miss it all. Especially for the first few weeks while I am getting used to it.

’But I will be going back tonight to watch a concert and I will be going back to the school to visit now and then.

’I am originally from Leeds so I will have more time to spend visiting family there now as well.

’I will probably be going on a holiday too.’