WANDYKE School will be missing a key member of staff this summer when a long serving teaching assistant retires.

Sue Bittner joined the school back in 1988 but after more than 30 years she is hanging up her whistle as the driving force behind the school's netball team.

For several years she has run the Devizes School Netball League promoting the sport within schools and the community.

In the past Mrs Bittner was awarded a lifetime achievement in recognition of her longstanding commitment and hard work in promoting, refereeing and coaching the players.

Louise Matthews, the administration office at the school said: "Wansdyke School would like to thank her for all her hard work over the years and wish her all the best in her retirement."

The school became a sports college in 2004 and later an academy with Mrs Bittner playing an important role by linking up with sports groups in the town and Wansdyke Primary School.