STAFF and pupils at Bentham Primary School have bid a fond farewell to a popular headteacher who led the drive to get a new £5m school built for the village.

Catherine Boocock, who is also a former head of Horton Primary School, will be succeeded by Bentham's assistant headteacher Claire Pearson following the Easter holidays.

The new Bentham Primary School opened just over two years ago after a lengthy period of planning. At its last Ofsted inspection the school was praised by inspectors as "good with outstanding features."

Mrs Boocock said: "It has been very difficult at times, but my thoughts have always been firmly focussed on the children whatever was happening.”