A headteacher who has dedicated nearly 15 years to a Preston school has retired.

Anne Desforges will always remember pupils at Deepdale County Infant School, St Stephen's Road, Preston, because of a CD they made as a retirement gift featuring songs sang in morning assemblies.

Mrs Desforges, who has been in the job since September 1991, was treated to four days of celebrations to mark her retirement on Tuesday.

She received money collected from the community by three mosques in Preston, and was crowned queen of the school's Caribbean carnival, by Preston Mayor, Coun Bhikhu Patel.

Staff and pupils made a floral headdress and bouquet of roses, carnations and daisies."

"We all had an amazing day," said Mrs Desforges, who has been in education for 40 years.

"I didn't know I was going to be queen. The children were playing Caribbean music on special drums. It was so colourful and I was really overwhelmed."

Mrs Desforges, who lives in Preston, worked in schools in Cheshire, Stockport and Manchester and as an advisory teacher for Lancashire County Council before going to the Deepdale school. She introduced specialist learning with play rooms to help pupils develop life skills.

She was bowled over with the celebrations, particularly the CD.

"Everyone kept asking me what present I wanted but I've always said to the children that their special present would be to be able to listen to them sing when I wanted," said Mrs Desforges.

"They sang for me in Monday morning's assembly. It was beautiful and very touching. I'll miss them all a lot."

She intends to spend her time catching up on reading.

Her replacement, Nawal Mirza, who comes from a Blackburn school, will take over on September 1.