A GUIDE leader from Sedgefield has stepped down after leading the pack for 38 years.

Jackie Postgate, from Sands Hall, retired from the First Sedgefield Girl Guides group after reaching the compulsory retirement age of 65.

Mother-of-two Mrs Postgate first joined the Brownies when she was seven, and became a Brownie leader in Middlesbrough at 16.

She moved to Sedgefield over 40 years ago, and led the Fishburn Girl Guides before joining the Sedgefield group.

Mrs Postgate’s involvement with the organisation runs in the family.

Her daughter, Julie Towler, helps run the Guides, and her three grandchildren attend Scouts.

She said the highlight of her Guide leader career was attending the world jamboree in Essex last year to celebrate 100 years of Scouting.

"I have got mixed feelings about retiring," said Mrs Postgate.

"I’ve had fantastic time with the Guides, and done things I would not otherwise have been able to do.

"But it is good to give one of the younger members the opportunity to become a leader."