A PENSIONER is calling for all schoolchildren to be given souvenirs to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

Heather Jackson was a 13-year-old pupil at Weymouth Grammar School when she was presented with a gold and silver teaspoon on May 6, 1935.

The 79-year-old has treasured the keepsake of yesteryear, which commemorates 25 years of reign for King George V and his queen, Mary.

The spoon's handle is carved with their regal profiles and on the reverse, is inscribed 'T J Tuppy, Mayor, Weymouth'.

Miss Jackson, who lives in Weymouth and was a worker at the Spa Hotel, believes that today's schoolchildren should be presented with a similar gift in honour of this year's jubilee celebrations.

She said: "The spoons were brought to the school and handed out to everybody with no formalities or anything, but it's still nice to have a souvenir.

"Sadly, the king died the next year and we wore black arm bands and black ties as a mark of respect.

"I would love to know if the mayor and the council will be giving children anything this year, like a spoon, a mug or a medal, so they can remember Queen Elizabeth's Golden Jubilee.

"The spoon is something I have looked after for 67 years and takes me back to my schooldays."

But Weymouth and Portland Borough Council has no plans to distribute mementoes to youngsters in the area's schools.

The council's publicity manager, Peter Gilmour, said: "We have no such plans and I would expect that issue to be tackled by the local education authority.

"And I am not aware that gifts will be made to schoolchildren anywhere in the country this year."