MAGISTRATE James Wayman has seen considerable changes during his 29 years on the bench.

Mr Wayman, 70, who retired from the bench this week, became a magistrate in 1974 when a new bench was formed for the Sedgefield Petty Sessional Division.

He has achieved much in nearly three decades, serving as a member of the county probation committee and on the Durham Police Authority, as well as being deputy chairman of the Juvenile Panel and chairman of the Family Panel.

He was also the last chairman of the Sedgefield Petty Sessional Division before it was incorporated into the South Durham bench.

Mr Wayman, who served on the bench for the last time this week, said: "When I first started there was very little training done and we used to fly by the seats of our pants.

"But the job has become very much more professional and magistrates are much more aware now."

He said: "The downside of it now is the drugs problems which we are dealing with. A lot of criminal activity is to fund drug problems."

Mr Wayman had to stand down when he turned 70, but can still sit at the Crown Court for two more years.

He said: "I shall miss the daily court work. I hope over the years I've been very fair and I've been just. I would encourage anyone who has the time and wishes to do any community work to become a magistrate, because it is a very worthwhile job."