The lemon trees of sunny Spain beckon for a retiring Benfleet head teacher.

John Thorpe, head of Kents Hill junior school, has bidden farewell to the pupils and staff, as the summer holidays start and he looks forward to a well-earned rest in Spain.

Mr Thorpe has been head of Kents Hill since 1983 and his retirement rounds off a 30-year teaching career, which has seen many changes.

He said: "There has been a huge amount of change in both curriculum and in the building. The highlight was the fact that the school has been so successful in swimming and athletics.

"We have won trophies for the area schools meetings every year for 12 years. It has become a standing joke with the other heads that they were entering just for the runner up position. It is all attributable to the hard work of the PE and athletics staff."

Mr Thorpe, 58, said he would remember the high standards the pupils and staff attained during his time as head of the school in Kents Hill Road.

He said: "We have had two successful Ofsted reports, in 1994 and 1998, of which I am particularly proud."

The years ahead will be even more enjoyable since Mr Thorpe has bought a villa in Spain.

He said: "I will be coming and going for a while.

"I have a cousin who used to be a head-teacher and has lived there for quite a while.

"He's 67 and looks hale and hearty and I would like a bit of that.

"In addition, when my wife asks me for a gin and tonic with a slice of lemon, I will just reach up and pluck one from a tree.

"It will be really relaxing and a good way to retire."

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