STAFF and cadets from the Air Training Corps (ATC) gathered to celebrate the retirement of one of their longest-serving members.

Peter Raynor retired from the 234 (City of Durham) Squadron's fund-raising committee this month, after nearly 50 years in the ATC.

He first joined on the Isle of Wight in 1942 and in the following year, he joined the RAF as a navigator.

He was commissioned as a pilot officer in 1944 and demobbed in 1947 when he became an instructor with the Air Cadets on the Isle of Wight.

He moved to County Durham in 1954 where he joined 234 Squadron.

Well-known as the driving force behind Northend School of Motoring, he retired from RAF Volunteer Reserve at 55, and has since served on the squadron's fundraising committee.

Mr Raynor was presented with a model of the Mosquito Night Fighter he flew during the war. The replica was made by squadron members.