A Shropshire college has said goodbye to five members of staff whose combined length of service totals nearly 120 years.

It is the biggest collective number to retire from Acton Burnell-based Concord College at any one time.

The longest serving of the five, are two female members of staff whose combined service is 68 years.

Lennie Pitney, 66, who lives in Acton Burnell, has put in more than 35 years as domestic bursar and assistant houseparent and with husband Mike has been part of the pastoral team.

She said: “The college has been my whole working life. It will be hard to leave.”

Just behind her with over 32 years of service is Pat Brown, 65, senior lab technician, of Shrewsbury.

Her other jobs at the college have been marketing and running the honours board awarding top students.

Longest serving of three retiring teachers is Alfred Ellis, 64, who was born in Shrewsbury and attended the Priory Boys’ Grammar School.

After university he worked abroad for some years and when he returned to Britain he found a job as an economics teacher at Concord College in 1987.

He set up the Oxbridge Group and at various times has had responsibility for the humanities department and for the school timetable.

Peter Harris, 59, a teacher of maths, has completed 17 years’ service.

He has taught information technology and been maths co-ordinator for GCSE and the lower school for the last eight years.

Physics teacher Malcolm Lewis, also 59, has had a varied career having been born, and lived, overseas.