Staff and pupils said farewell to a much-loved dinner lady who served almost a million meals spanning more than three decades.

Assistant school cook Sylvie Osborne retired after 35 years at St Vincent Catholic Primary School in Burnside Road, Dagenham.

Children, staff and her husband Pat attended a special assembly in her honour on April 8.

Sylvie was serenaded with a special version of the Queen song We Will Rock You that was created by Year 5 children.

She was then presented with a cake of a dinner tray with a school meal on it, a gift and handmade cards from every single class.

Headteacher Rachel Mahon said: “Sylvie will be sorely missed as she has always provided service with a smile. We wish Sylvie a happy and healthy retirement.”

Putting her achievement into figures, she added: “During her time at St Vincent’s she has helped prepare, serve and wash up on average 135 meals a day, 675 every week, 26,325 every school year.”

She added: “Spread over 35 years that is 921,375 meals.

“When you add in all the Christmas dinners and staff meals that she has helped cook that must be close to one million.”