AN ALVA school last week said goodbye to a “hilarious and honest” learning assistant who has retired after 25 years of service.

Flowers and gifts went to learning assistant Audrey Wallace at Alva PS when colleagues surprised her last Friday, October 7, after she served the school for a quarter of a century.

Called a classroom assistant back then, Audrey started working at the Hillfoots school 25 years ago, recently working with the children of a number of former pupils who attended all those years ago.

Fellow learning assistant Stephanie McNab, explained the school will not be the same without Audrey, who has supported her on her journey in the past four years.

She told the Advertiser: “She is a lovely, kind, hilarious and honest lady who would do anything for you. She taught me so much that I will remember for a long time.

“I had only worked with her for four years but she made me feel so welcome and supported me right away.

“We struck up a lovely friendship over the four years.

“She worked so hard throughout her time here and has made such a huge difference to children and young people over the years.

“She will really be missed so much – by children and by staff.”

Indeed, at the school's breakfast club last Friday morning where Audrey always helped out, the children all lined up with pieces of paper saying “We will miss you Mrs Wallace” and gave her some lovely gifts.

Stephanie added: “It was 'hugs central' throughout the day as well as the children coming to to say bye.”