AN extra week in the classroom has given a retiring south Durham teacher a chance to say goodbye to the families she taught during 34 years at the same school.
Ann Gregg officially left Coundon Primary School during the summer holiday, but came back for the first week of term to cover a colleague's absence.
Former pupils took the opportunity to call in to her classroom for the last time, and there were flowers and tributes from colleagues and pupils.
Headteacher Ed Mitchell said he was sorry to see Mrs Gregg leave.
He said: "She has always given me her full backing and I feel grateful to have had such a high-quality teacher on my staff."
Mrs Gregg, from Bishop Auckland, intends to play golf and travel. She said: "I came to the school when I was 21 and I have been here ever since, apart from three months when my son, Michael, was born.
"I have always had lots of affection from parents and children and I gave it back."
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