LONG-SERVING childminder Dora Gooding is putting her feet up, after having seen almost 100 children pass through her care
Mrs Gooding, of Trafalgar Terrace, Darlington, has mixed feelings about retirement after 29 years' service.
She admits she will miss the youngsters who have filled her home with the joy and tears of growing up.
Having previously worked as a nurse, Mrs Gooding registered as a childminder so she would fit a career around her ambulance driver husband's own employment.
Despite the sheer number of children she has cared for, she keeps a lasting interest in as many as possible.
The first child she cared for was an Indian boy whose parents were working at Darlington Memorial Hospital, and Mrs Gooding, still writes to the family although they have returned to India.
"I will miss them very much," she said.
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