A LONG-serving teacher, who did not join the profession until middle age, has decided to retire at the age of 90.

Harriet Scott, of Chester-le-Street, brings to a close half century teaching the art of lace-making.

Harriett began teaching in 1950 and has taken classes in Durham, Chester-le-Street, Stockton, Gateshead, Washington and Ebchester.

Two of her current students have been attending her classes for 30 years, one of them travelling from Appleby in Cumbria, and the other from Darlington, to make the weekly session at Durham's Alington House.

She says her secret to staying in the job so long is because she "never goes to bed on the same day as I get up".

Peter Robinson, Durham County Council's community education manager, said: "Harriett's commitment to adult education over 50 wonderful years is a tremendous achievement and is an example to us all of lifelong learning in practice."