A DEVOTED college lecturer who has helped shape the lives of thousands of students for more than 40 years has been given an emotional send off.

Hard working Anne Hughes has decided to say a fond farewell to the Greenock campus after a lifetime devoted to further education.

In that time the former Greenock Academy pupil has helped make the West of Scotland beauty therapy department the envy of the country.

Since the 1980s she has trained students, looked after their wellbeing, inspired them and encouraged them to go and open their own salons and follow their dreams.

Greenock Telegraph: Lecturer Anne Hughes leaves West College Scotland

Anne, 64, of Bawhirley Road in Greenock, said: "I have been involved in further education for 41 years and it is something I am very proud to be a part of it. We have a fantastic department.

"I just feel it is time to move on and try something new. College is life changing for our students.

"Having a college is very important in a town like Greenock. What we provide is something solid for young people, they know when they come here they are going to get an education, they will be supported in a lot of ways to enable them to get a good start and a career.

"Particularly nowadays many of the young people who come to us have chaotic lives, it's just the way it is now.

"We are like a family, they know they will be fully supported when they come to college."

The former Greenock Academy pupil broke the mould when she decided to train as a beauty therapist back in the day.

Anne said: "My school head teacher was not happy but I was determined. I wanted to do something with my hands, something that would make people feel better about themselves.

"Beauty therapy is something that gives people their sparkle back, makes them feel more confident, we send people away feeling so much better about themselves."

After leaving school in 1978 Anne set off for Telford College in Edinburgh to train in beauty therapy and she has never looked back.

Anne moved into lecturing first at Coatbridge College from 1987 to 2002 before coming back to her home town.

She has stayed ever since, delivering an ever-growing beauty therapy course that caters for absolutely everything.

Head of beauty Maureen Manley said: "We will all miss Anne so much, it really is the end of an era for us here.

"Anne has put her heart and soul into this department and, to be honest, the whole college. She is an inspiration and most importantly she is so, so kind.

"She goes above and beyond for students."

Student Aimee Barnes, 30, from Lomond Road, is studying her NC course and is hoping to go on to do an HNC.

She added: "It is sad to see Anne go, I can't thank her enough for all her help."

Anne has also stepped down recently from her role as a first responder with St Andrew's First Aid.

For the last 40 years she was a regular at Cappielow and public events around Inverclyde.

She said: "I followed in my family's footsteps, my grandfather was a first aider and so was my mum."