End of play for dinner ladies?

"I've loved my time here and I'm definitely very sad to be going," said Mrs Clark, 60, whose sons Jason and Brian both attended the school.

"But there have been changes and you can't really hug the kids or get as close to them as you used to. It makes it harder to comfort them or build the same relationship we used to."

Mrs Harris, whose children Mark and Jo were also pupils 15 years ago, agrees with her friend. "It used to be the best part of the job, your relationship with the kids, but it has changed a lot and I think that's part of the reason we're moving on."

The two women, who both live in Hanworth, say they will be sad to leave and have many happy memories of their time watching thousands of Oriel pupils grow up over the years.

"I see the old pupils out and about in Hanworth all the time," said Mrs Clark, a grandmother-of one. "Now some of the kids from the early years are parents themselves and bring their own children here. We're like a big extended family."

Head teacher Matthew Reed said the long-serving duo, as well as 15-year playground veteran Debbie Dutchett, who is also not returning next term, had provided a strong sense of continuity for Oriel Primary.

"It'll be strange for staff and pupils looking out into the playground and not seeing them there," he added. "They've been an important link between the school and the community and we're going to really miss them."

Mrs Harris and Mrs Clark currently combine their time at Oriel with jobs escorting children with disabilities for Richmond Council.

They both plan to continue in this role and Mrs Harris will start as a dinner lady at Lindon-Bennett School in September.

Mrs Clark's daughter-in-law, Louise, said: "She's a fantastic woman and the work they've put in down at the school has made a huge difference to thousands of kids."