COULD Brenda be the country’s oldest and most dedicated dinner lady?

Brenda Shaughnessy celebrated her 80th birthday on Monday September 26.

Brenda, who has worked at Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College in Altrincham for more than 40 years, is the school's longest serving lunchtime assistant and had a bash thrown in her honour.

On Friday night, almost 200 family and friends joined her in the school hall for a party and she was presented with two tickets to see her favourite team, Manchester United, play against Arsenal in November.

Headteacher John Cornally said “Brenda has been part of our school family for more than 40 years.

“She has known generations of families in our school who think of her with great affection and respect.

“An indication of what a lovely lady Brenda is she asked for donations to The Christie Hospital rather than receive presents, collecting over £1,800 so far. She received more than 200 cards from the children who all sang Happy Birthday to her at lunchtime at all three sittings.”