CHILDREN at a playgroup in West Wickham said an emotional goodbye to the "hero" who ran the group for 28 years.

Pat Morris, 64, has worked with the pre-school group in Emmanuel Church, The Grove, since 1974.

She has implemented changes in the national curriculum and has cared for generations of children.

Mother-of-two Claire McGuire, who sent both her children to the group, said: "Pat is a hero. She does a lot of amazing work with the children so they are really ready for school.

"The local community will miss her."