COLLEAGUES have said farewell to a dedicated volunteer who has helped run a prison tea bar.

Nancy Harrison, of Durham, has hung up her tabard, after 20 years of serving cuppas in the Women's Royal Voluntary Service (WRVS) tea bar in the visitor centre, at Low Newton Jail.

To mark her retirement a celebration was held at the Dunelm Ridge pub, near the Arnison Centre, Pity Me.

WRVS community services manager Josephine Rutherford said: "Nancy is such a lovely, outgoing person that she will be sorely missed at the prison.

"Our tea bar has a small team of dedicated volunteers, who really care about helping create a calm and relaxing atmosphere, and Nancy has played a big part in that.

"It is amazing how comforting a cup of tea and a chat can be for some of the visitors, particularly if they have had a long journey or have not visited the prison before. I would like to thank Nancy for all her hard work and dedication to the WRVS and the prison over the years as she really has been a valued member of the volunteer team."

The WRVS also provides refreshments to visitors to Frankland and Durham prisons and at some magistrates, courts.

For further details about the WRVS and its work call (0845) 601 4670. Calls are charged at the local rate.