A DEPUTY headteacher retired yesterday after 31 years at the same school.

Dave Watson arrived at Darlington's Hummersknott Comprehensive School as head of biology in 1969 and later became head of science.

He was appointed deputy headteacher in 1976.

Headteacher David Henderson says he is pleased Mr Watson will not be leaving the school completely, because he will continue in a part-time role at Hummersknott.

"Although he's retiring, he's actually going to come back two days a week as a consultant," said Mr Henderson.

"He's going to help run the language college, when we become a language college."

Mr Watson, 59, will also help run the school's budget as a beacon college.

Mr Henderson said: "He will be sorely missed by pupils and staff."

Mr Watson was a pupil at St John's Primary School, in Darlington, and Darlington Queen Elizabeth Grammar School for boys. He studied at Aberdeen University before taking a postgraduate certificate at Leeds.

His first job was at Northallerton Grammar School, where he taught for seven years before moving to Hummersknott.

"It will be a big wrench for me," said Mr Watson.

But, he said he was looking forward to extra time for his hobbies of golf, fishing and gardening. Mr Watson is also games secretary at Darlington Quoits Club.