Mrs Gill Bell, of Whitegate Children's Centre, say goodbye to staff and pupils following a week of activities, including a Teddy Bears' Picnic and circus.

She is taking up a new post as head of a children's centre in Grimsby, Humberside, after 18 years at the Victoria Road centre.

Mrs Karen Bleasdale, acting deputy head, who has worked with Mrs Bell for 13 years, said it was an emotional day but there were no tears as it was a happy occasion, too.

"We got the children together at the end and made some presentations," she said. "The children had made her cards and gifts and they gave them to her. It was a nice send off."

Mrs Bell arrived at the school as a working headteacher, still teaching lessons. After the £400,000 refurbishment of the nursery in 2006, when it became a children's centre, she devoted all of her time to management of the new facility.

Last year, her leadership was commended by Ofsted when the centre received an "outstanding" result. At the time, the report said: "The outstanding and visionary leadership of the headteacher has succeeded in developing the scope of the nursery's work through integrating education, social and health services within the children's centre."

Mrs Bell will be replaced by Mrs Kay Burke, a former teacher and early years consultant for Lancashire County Council.