ONE of the North-East's most distinguished district judges is stepping down after more than 50 years' service to the legal profession.

Judge Allen Brougham, aged 72, presided over his final hearing at Darlington county court on Monday and officially retires today.

The son of a miner, Judge Brougham was born near Blaydon and educated at Hookergate grammar school after winning miners' welfare, county and state scholarships.

After leaving school, he performed national service in the Duke of Cornwall Light Infantry, rising to the rank of sergeant, before attending the London School of Economics in 1949.

"I quickly found out I hated it and switched to the law the following year," he said. He took articles in 1953 with law firm Richard Rutter Crute in Sunderland and became a partner there in the early 60s.

He became a registrar, as they were known at the time, in 1979 and has remained in the same job ever since.

"I'm sad, but I recognise that there is a time when everybody's got to go," he said. "I will really miss it, but I'll miss the people more; the staff and both branches of the legal profession, as well as the litigants themselves."

Judge Brougham said he intended to spend his extra leisure time holidaying with his wife, Marjorie, whom he met at school, and gardening.

He added: "We will visit my son in Australia and the grandchildren in South London. Hopefully, I'll be taking up some sort of interest, but I don't know what. I'll have to see what courses the local colleges have on offer."

Miss Judith Middleton, a partner with law firm Latimer Hinks, organised the presentation of a portable television with integrated video on behalf of Darlington solicitors at the town's county court on Monday.

She said: "Throughout his career as a district judge, he has always exercised fairness and wisdom and this has earned him the respect of legal practitioners throughout the region.

"He has striven to uphold the dignity and honour of court proceedings and everyone involved in the legal profession wishes him the very best of luck in his retirement."