A guide leader is retiring from the youth movement after 50 years.

Joy Topping, 57, who is currently the leader in Cumnor, has been involved in guiding since she was seven years old but has now has decided to call it a day.

Mrs Topping, of Oxford Road, Cumnor, said: "I have met some lifelong friends in my time with the Guides and it's been rewarding to know I have given an opportunity for girls to develop their life skills to face the challenges of the world today.

"It's been great to give something back to Guiding, having been involved with it as a young girl. I just feel it is time to move on now."

Mrs Topping, who is also a teacher at Botley Primary School, Oxford, made the decision because she no longer had enough spare time to devote to her group.

She said: "The Guide movement has changed a lot over the years, and there is just so much more to do now.

"I don't feel I have got the time to get involved in all the things for the girls. It used to be just the weekly Guide meeting and camps, but there are just so many different activities now."

Mrs Topping started as a Brownie, going on to become pack leader by 15, and a Brownie leader by the age of 19.

She took over as head of the Cumnor Guides 17 years ago.

The group had been on the brink of shutting down as the old leader was leaving.

Mrs Topping joked: "I just offered to take it on for a short while, but I ended up staying on for longer than I thought."

To mark her retirement, Guides past and present, parents and helpers, held a surprise partylast Thursday, July 10 to celebrate her time in charge.

Mrs Topping said: "It was such a nice surprise and it was fantastic to see so many people that have been involved with the Guides here in Cumnor over the years.

"Everyone had a great evening and we finished the night off with a good old-fashioned sing-song."

Pat Meadows, whose daughter Hannah is one of Mrs Topping's Guides, paid tribute to the outgoing leader.

She said: "She has been absolutely marvellous and has helped so many young girls become young women.

"She deserves a bit of recognition for everything she has done, and I know all the girls think the world of her and will miss her."