A TEACHER whose green-fingered work led to her school being the first in Warrington to be awarded Green Flag status has retired after 18 years.

Gill Coon started her career at Culcheth Primary as a teaching assistant in 1996.

The 54-year-old qualified as a teacher in 2006 and went on to complete a masters degree in education in 2013.

Gill's work in the Warrington Road school's allotments and planting areas also led to the Greenfingers gardening club being set up as well as the annual Green Day celebration for families.

The Croft resident said: "The best thing was seeing the children's faces – the look of wonder at creating new life and all the nurture side of it.

"There were pupils involved who would often be outside the head teacher's office but outside they would be a different child.

"It was also like a mini enterprise project as the children had to write for funding and sell plants at school fairs."

Gill, who has two sons, David, aged 27, and Thomas, aged 30, plans to spend her free time travelling around Australia and New Zealand with her husband Peter.

But she will still be involved with Culcheth Primary's Green Day and future gardening projects.

Head teacher Mandy Dodd added: "Gill was a kind and generous member of staff – a fantastic cook and popular with everyone. In many ways she was ’mum’ to the whole school – staff and children – always there to listen and advise."

Gill also wanted to thank everyone at school for supporting her while she was studying for her masters degree.

She said: "The support I was given from staff was incredible. Mandy allowed me the time and gave me a lot of help and the children were involved too as my dissertation was on the benefits of gardening for children at school."