A HAWORTH Primary School worker has received a coveted accolade.

Paul Plant, site manager at the school, has marked his final few months in the job by winning a Supporting Staff Member of the Year award.

He has worked at the school for the past ten years, welcoming children and looking after the site.

Mr Plant, who lives in the village, retires at the end of May and was delighted to have the award to add to his memories of his time at the school.

"This is fantastic," he said.

"I have loved the last ten years, but I'm just doing my job, which is to keep the children happy and smiling.

"This is a great way to leave the school. I will miss the children and all the staff. I feel I'm a cog in a big wheel that includes all the other staff.

"I try to get the children smiling even before they go into school. Getting them to smile when they come through the gates is one of my main goals. Another is to get the staff smiling too!"

Headteacher Helen Thompson said he would leave a "huge hole" when he retires.

One of the nominations for Mr Plant said "words cannot sum up the contribution he makes to our school. He has brought so much fun, energy and enthusiasm to Haworth Primary. He is our champion".

Another said that "few people deserve recognition more than Paul Plant".

He was among the winners in the Bradford and District Schools Awards, staged by Keighley News sister paper the Telegraph & Argus in association with Bradford Council and the University of Bradford.