This time last year, Laurie Richards was due to take a well-earned rest after four decades of service at Sir Harry Smith Community College, in Whittlesey.

But when his boss quit to take another job, the 62-year-old was given an offer he couldn't refuse, and took the helm of the school he joined back in 1967 for one last year.

For Mr Richards, there could be no more fitting way to end a career spent devoted to teaching and the Whittlesey community than as acting principal.

As he bid a final farewell to pupils and staff on Friday, he said he would always look back on his "hugely rewarding" time at the school with pride.

He said: "I have had a wonderful time here and I have enjoyed every minute.

"Sir Harry Smith Community College is a fantastic school, the pupils have always been great, and I must have worked with hundreds of colleagues over the years.

"There is no doubt I shall miss this place very much. But the quality of teaching is as good as it's ever been and there is a very exciting future ahead for the school."

Throughout his career, Mr Richards has been committed to developing youth services, adult education and links between the school and the Whittlesey community.

He was awarded the MBE for services to education in 2004, and back in 1978, became Whittlesey's first ever Citizen of the Year.

After joining Sir Harry Smith as a youth tutor in 1967, Mr Richards was promoted to assistant principal in 1990 before stepping up to take over from departing head Mike Sandeman.

Career highlights have included seeing the school double its capacity to 1,100 pupils, and securing specialist status for science, maths and computing in 2004.

But one thing he will not mind leaving behind is the red tape he says teachers are increasingly having to deal with to do their job.

"I won't miss the bureaucracy and the scrutinisation of inspections," he says. "I think the whole thing is de-professionalising teachers' work in many ways."

Mr Richards, who lives in Longthorpe, Peterborough, with his wife Pat, and has two grown-up children, admits to feeling apprehensive about walking away from daily life as a teacher.

But he is also looking forward to devoting more time to gardening, walking, reading, travelling, and, above all, relaxing.

The school's chairman of governors Elaine Hedgecock said Mr Richards would be greatly missed by everyone.

She said: "Laurie has made such a significant contribution to the community of Whittlesey that he is irreplaceable. Not only has he taught the parents of present pupils, but many of their grandparents, too.

"On behalf of the governors, I want to thank Laurie for his years of service and in particular for his final year as acting principal."

New principal Jonathan Digby has already taken up his post at the college.