Librarian Linda Johnson is retiring from her job at Windsor's St Edward’s Royal Free Middle School after 23 years there.

Mrs Johnson, 66, first joined the school in Parsonage Lane as a volunteer in 1996 listening to children read. She went on to become a teaching assistant supporting children with special educational needs.

She said: “I remember one child who used to run off and try and go home; I had to buy a pair of trainers so I could keep up with him.”

Linda moved to her role as school librarian after the school invested in building a new space for the library in 2006. She has watched children developing a love of reading over many years and says she has enjoyed increasing the amount of reading she herself does in order to know which books the pupils love and understand their interests.

She has also enjoyed going on a range of trips and activities with the school including residential trips to Devon.

Linda is retiring a year earlier than planned in order to care for her mum. She says she is looking forward to being able to go on holiday during term-time and to catching up with friends.

“I have absolutely loved working with the kids and have made so many friends over the years,” she said.

Headteacher, Rod Welsh, who is also retiring this term added: “Linda is a special person and has been a loyal and trusted member of our staff team for such a long time. She has been part of our very successful library team and the fantastic development of reading in our school is due in no small measure to her skill and dedication. We all wish her a long and happy retirement.”