Families and colleagues have said a fond farewell to a much-loved nursery nurse who has spent nearly five decades working with children.

Norwich Evening News: Nursery nurse Suzanne Hall, (centre) who is retiring after 23 years at Hethersett Woodside Infant and Nursery School, pictured with pupils at the end of term circus celebration. Photo: Kim Briscoe.Nursery nurse Suzanne Hall, (centre) who is retiring after 23 years at Hethersett Woodside Infant and Nursery School, pictured with pupils at the end of term circus celebration. Photo: Kim Briscoe. (Image: Archant)

Suzanne Hall started her career teaching pre-school children as a 17-year-old in 1970 and for the last 23 years has been at Hethersett Woodside Infant and Nursery School.

Staff, pupils and parents past and present gathered at the Firs Road school this week for a series of events to mark her retirement, including an afternoon tea and a special circus and clown performance by the nursery school pupils.

The 64-year-old said: 'I'm so blessed I have done a job that I have loved. It's a pleasure and a joy to watch children grow.'

Among the well-wishers to say goodbye was Ellie Gray, a former pupil of Mrs Hall's, whose daughter Isla-Mai attended the nursery this year.

Norwich Evening News: Nursery nurse Suzanne Hall (centre) who is retiring after 23 years at Hethersett Woodside Infant and Nursery School. She is pictured with nursery colleagues Michelle Larwood (left) and Nicola Ingham (right) at the school's end of term circus celebration. Photo: Kim Briscoe.Nursery nurse Suzanne Hall (centre) who is retiring after 23 years at Hethersett Woodside Infant and Nursery School. She is pictured with nursery colleagues Michelle Larwood (left) and Nicola Ingham (right) at the school's end of term circus celebration. Photo: Kim Briscoe. (Image: Archant)

Miss Gray, 22, of Campion Way, Hethersett, said: 'I thought it was lovely that Mrs Hall was teaching my daughter too. I'm just sad that my youngest Mia-Rose won't have her too.'

Assistant headteacher Nicola Ingham, who is the nursery school teacher and early years lead, said: 'I'm going to miss her dreadfully. She's been my friend, my colleague, she's been my rock and she has enjoyed her work thoroughly.

'We made such a fabulous team, we will be very sad to see her go but now she deserves some time to herself.

'She understands children and loves to observe them, join in with them and play with them. And the children love being with her too.'

Mrs Hall first worked in Brighton, where her family is from, before moving to Norfolk because of her husband's job.

She said: 'I'm so sad but it's the right thing to do at this moment in time. I don't want my colleagues to be using a hoist to get me up off the floor.

'It is sad because I have been here 23 years. I feels like I just walked in the door 23 years ago and in the click of finger it's come and gone.

'It's been a pleasure and a joy.'

Mrs Hall, who has two children and lives in Hingham, said she is looking forward to spending more time with her three grandchildren and hopes her retirement will mean she will be able to go travelling, in particular to New Zealand.