Readers have been sharing their heartfelt messages after a well-loved teaching assistant announced her retirement after 34 years at a West Cumbrian school.

Senior teaching assistant at Valley Primary School and Nursery in Whitehaven, Joan Ball, has been helping students for decades.

Her connection the school goes back even further as she was once a pupil there, along with her siblings.

And her family connections to the school don’t stop there.

Joan’s husband, Bill, is the site manager of the school and her mother is the former cleaner.

Here’s what you, the readers, had to say:

Judith O’Connell had some warm words to share about Joan’s retirement, saying: “Happy retirement Joan, enjoy it too.”

June Patrickson said: “Enjoy your retirement Joan, well deserved.”

Sarah Hutchinson echoed these heart warming messages, saying how Joan had been a big help to her when she was starting out as a teacher.

She added: “Happy retirement Joan! You looked after me so well when I first started out as a teacher at Valley.”

Emma McQuade said: “Happy retirement Mrs Ball. Loved Valley School back in the day.”

Scott Telford said: “Well done Joan. Now put your feet up and enjoy.”