Greenhead High School has said farewell to two stalwart teachers.

George Asquith and Mike Purches have retired from the Utley school after more than 50 years of combined service.

Mr Asquith has been head of design and technology at Greenhead for the last 30 years.

As site manager since the late Eighties, he has overseen huge changes to the school campus, including the high-tech City Learning Centre, which he designed, and the rebuilding that accompanied the change from three to two-tier education.

Cleckheaton born and bred, he originally trained as a chef because his father was a pub landlord, but he decided on a career in teaching instead.

He taught at Colne Valley High School, in Calderdale, before joining Greenhead.

Mr Asquith said: "The role has increased in complexity with all sorts of Government initiatives, increased buildings and staff numbers within the department and changes to the national curriculum.

"I have seen just about three generations of Keighley children and a huge part of my life has been invested in Keighley. I will also miss the camaraderie of my colleagues."

Although retiring from full-time work Mr Asquith, who celebrates his 60th birthday this month will work as an education consultant for the Quality and Curriculum Authority (QCA).

He will also continue to work as a principle examiner for the Assessment and Qualifications Alliance (AQA) and will hope to spend more time with partner Di, daughter Joanne and son Richard, his three grandchildren.

Head of languages Mike Purches, who lives in Silsden, will also have plenty of yarns to spin from his time at Greenhead.

Before his teaching career began, Mr Purches worked as a textile designer for a company based in Lyon, France, and passed on his expertise in jacquard design to people in Israel.

He came back to England and worked for Coulthards, before deciding on a career change as a languages teacher.

He taught French and German at Bront Middle School and was transferred to Greenhead in 1979. Mr Purches said: "I have enjoyed my time at Greenhead, especially the exchanges we did to Poix du Nord and the day trips to Boulogne.

"There have been numerous changes and unfortunately languages are not a priority area.

"They are to be encouraged but the back up and willingness from the powers to be have gone by the board.

"It is sad to see so many linguists wondering where their future is going to lie, particularly in secondary school education."

Mr Purches, who is married to Marian and has two sons, Oliver and Dominic, intends to continue working on a supply basis in North Yorkshire, as well as catching up on some home DIY.