A nursery manager has retired after 40 years of looking after thousands of children.

Ellen Lowe, 70, first started working at Christ Church Pre-School Nursery in Rayne Road, Braintree, because her son Richard went there and "hated it", so staff thought he would be happier if she started helping out.

"I have enjoyed every minute of it," said Mrs Lowe, of Rayne Road.

"It has been very tiring, I don't really enjoy very good health and I am 70.

"The only thing I will miss are the children, I call them my babies.

"I have looked after 3,000 children in my time so I can't put a foot out of town without somebody saying 'hello Auntie Ellen'.