FOR more than 27 years, Pat Burdess has provided a friendly word and willing helping hand to thousands of patients attending a County Durham medical practice.

Yesterday, it was her turn to be on the receiving end of some heartfelt kindness as she bade farewell to Dr Yule and Partners, in Brandon.

Pat has come to know generations of local residents since joing the practice.

Always ready with a cheery word, she will be sorely missed, and was described by senior partner Dr John Yule as "a well liked lass".

Senior receptionist at the busy surgery, Mary O'Rourke, summed up the gap her retirement will bring.

"I wish I could plug her into the computer and download her wealth of knowledge of local people,'' she said.

Born in Brandon, Pat is married to Brian, and has two grown-up children, Wendy and Dale.

She was a pupil at the former Durham Girls Grammar School, and her first job was at Langley Moor Post Office.

As her friends gathered to bid her farewell and present her with gifts, Pat made it clear she was not planning a quiet retirement.

She intends to learn to swim, and then there are lots of holidays on the agenda.

She intends to keep her caring skills up to scratch by working part-time in the local community clinics.

After such a long career she said that retirement would feel strange at first.