FRIENDS and colleagues gathered to say farewell to one of Richmondshire District Council's longest serving members of staff.

The party gathered at Thornborough Hall in Leyburn to pay tribute to Olga Lambert, who has decided to call it a day this month after 26 years.

Mrs Lambert, started work as a cleaner and sheltered housing relief warden at the hall in 1978.

For the past 14 years she has been a mobile warden for the Lifeline service provided by the council to elderly residents in the district.

Gavin White, head of supported housing, paid tribute to Mrs Lambert's years of exemplary service, saying: "You can rely on her as much as you can rely on the sun rising in the morning."

Community paramedic Pete Shaw added: "Olga is a complete star, she has a wonderful personality and is great to work with. She'll never let you down."

Mrs Lambert said simply: "I love my job and like to help people".

She received the council's formal thanks for her long service on Tuesday, when she was awarded the Chairman's Purse at an official retirement ceremony in Richmond.

Mrs Lambert is determined that she will not be putting her feet up during retirement. Instead she plans to continue serving the community by setting up a prescriptions delivery service in conjunction with Leyburn Surgery to help people in remote parts of the area.