A school cook is still going strong at 80 and has no plans to retire and leave the pupils and colleagues she calls “my family”.

Ceridwin Lloyd, 80, of Bailey Street, Brynmawr, works five days a week cooking chips and serving around 1,000 people at Brynmawr Foundation School.

She initially retired 15 years ago from her job as a cleaner at Nantyglo Comprehensive. But after deciding she wasn’t ready to put her feet up, she started the new role soon after.

“I have good health and the job keeps me young,” she said. “Some old people just sit in a chair and wait to die, but I will keep going as long as I can.”

Mrs Lloyd, who has no children of her own, said she looks on the pupils as her family and the rest of the canteen staff refer to her affectionately as Mam.

She celebrated her 80th birthday last week, a date that was tinged with sadness. Mrs Lloyd shared the birthday with her husband, Glyn, who died last year.

“My world fell through when Glyn died and I still miss him now,” added Mrs Lloyd.

“But the girls here were wonderful and I was back in work soon after. It is the laughs and fun we have that keeps me going.”

As well as working three hours a day in the canteen, Mrs Lloyd is a keen gardener, goes dancing, attends church and enjoys walking Yorkshire terrier, Rosie.

For her birthday, colleagues bought Mrs Lloyd garden furniture and organised her very own garden party.

Head cook Freda Williams described Mrs Lloyd as a wonderful worker that everyone loves. She added: “Cred is full of beans and would jump over most of the younger ones here.”