THE wheel has turned full circle for Mary Butterwick, who has been named as Stockton Rotary Citizen of the Year.

Mrs Butterwick was the first person to receive the award in 1986 and now, after 15 years, the scheme is being wound up and she was yesterday the final recipient.

The 76-year-old great-grandmother founded the first Butterwick Hospice in 1984 following the death of her husband, John, from cancer.

She sold her house to start the movement and has never lost sight of her aim to provide a place where comfort can be found not just by patients but their family too.

She said: "The satisfaction of helping fellow men is a great spur to hospice nursing staff, volunteers and fundraisers.