A SENIOR Durham nurse retired yesterday after more than 41 years in the profession.

Margaret Best, 58, left her post as director of nursing and quality enhancement for the North Durham Healthcare NHS Trust, at the University Hospital of North Durham.

She began her career at the County Hospital, then moved to Dryburn Hospital and other hospitals in Newcastle and on Teesside, where she worked in the orthopaedics and maternity departments.

Ms Best returned to Durham in 1994 to join the new trust.

To mark her retirement, staff organised a buffet and trust executive Steve Mason presented her with an engraved glass ornament.

Ms Best said: "I have seen a lot of changes in my career, particularly in Durham with the development of the new hospital and its completion and opening.

"It's a beautiful hospital. It's had some teething problems but they were quite minor and it has excellent facilities and staff."

She now plans to be involved in church and charity work