A WIRRAL dance teacher has retired after 40 years of service.

Mavis Lowe, 78, from Hoylake, opened the Mavlow School of Dance on June 2, 1978 in Westbourne Hall, West Kirby while waiting to move to a premises on Banks Road.

As the school's reputation grew, Mavis needed to find a bigger premises and moved to The Crescent, it was then when her daughter Paula became a partner in the business and both have enjoyed teaching together since.

Known to her students as Miss Mavis, she had recently been cutting down on her teaching hours, passing on the business to Paula and granddaughter Anita.

Wirral Globe: Miss Mavis with her thank you cake and gifts

Paula, her sister Michelle and Anita organised a surprise party at the studio on Saturday, July 21 to say thank you to Miss Mavis for all her hard work.

Paula told the Globe: "We contacted as many past pupils as possible who had attended the school through most of their childhood.

"Along with the parents, there were pupils who attended the school from the very beginning right up to the present day as well as those who have gone on to become professional dancers currently dancing all over the world.

"The school, having been running for 40 years, is now getting second generation pupils as latter day students become parents.

"They remember the happy times they themselves had at Mavlow and know that their children will receive the best possible training and most importantly will enjoy their dancing in a supportive and inclusive family run school."