A charity worker who has touched the lives of hundreds of Maldon families has retired after more than a decade of helping others.

Aileen Parsons, of Viking Road, Maldon, began managing Maldon’s Home Start scheme at St Cedds House in Princes Road 11 years ago.

In that time the 54-year-old has supported 500 families with more than 1,000 children and trained hundreds of volunteers.

As scheme manager, she has been responsible for supporting families in the Maldon district who need emotional and practical support, in turn helping them to give children a happy and secure childhood.

The charity sends out volunteers to families who may be struggling and offers them moral support and advice.

The mum-of-four said the time had come to give more to her own family.