THE founder of a Boscombe Down nursery is retiring after 26 years of service.

Pauline Freeman founded Chipmunks Nursery, now called Little Flyers, in 1989 with only ten children. In the intervening years that number has now grown to almost a hundred.

Well loved at the school by both the children and parents, she is now going to spend more time with her grandchildren and sewing.

Colleagues organised a surprise tea party at the Holiday Inn, Solstice Park to celebrate her retirement.