Parents were so grateful for the care taken of their children at school they decided to spoil the staff.

Mums and dads put on a slap-up lunch not only for teachers at St Anne's Catholic Primary School in Keighley but for every member of staff - from the head teacher to the cleaners.

As part of the Teacher and Staff Appreciation Day at the school in North Street, 56 members of staff were each given a gift of a menu card holder. Attached to each gift was a note saying: "Thank you for planting and nurturing these seeds of love in the hearts of our children."

Children read out poems dedicated to their teachers, and the staff tucked into a Mexican-style feast of tortillas, salad, and guacamole dips.

Sue Sissling, chairman of the St Anne's PTA, said: "It's something the Parents' Association felt very strongly about, and we wanted to do something to mark our appreciation in a more tangible way.

"We came up with the idea of a luncheon cooked, served and paid for by the parents of the school," she said.

It is the third year running that the staff appreciation day has been organised. It takes account of the hard work and outstanding commitment to the children and the community provided throughout the year.

Brigida Martino, the head teacher, said: "I understand that the parents of the school have always been very supportive. But we were both surprised and flattered that they decided to show their appreciation and support in this way.

"It's an American custom and I think the idea came from one of our American parents. My staff were delighted. It's lovely to see teachers walking around school with flowers. There's a lovely atmosphere in school."