THE Environment Agency's North-East regional director left his post yesterday to take early retirement.

Roger Hyde, 57, of Malton, North Yorkshire, has been regional director since 1996.

Mr Hyde said: "I am proud of what we have achieved, but I feel I have now done my bit and it is time to pass the baton to someone else.

"My greatest sense of achievement is that we have helped to establish a dynamic organisation that has really got to grips with the regulation of emissions into air, land and water.

"The agency is highly respected and I believe we really are seen as the champion of the environment."

Mr Hyde, who is married with three grown-up children, will continue his interest in environmental issues as a non-executive director of the Ponds Conservation Trust and the Earth Centre.

The agency has not yet appointed a permanent successor but in the meantime, David Rooke, water resources manager, will act as temporary regional director