A TOWN has thanked valuable members of its community with awards to mark their outstanding contributions.

Ferryhill Town Council presented awards of appreciation to former teachers from the town's Rosebank School, which closed in the summer as part of a countywide education shake-up.

Sue Stubbs was headteacher of the school, for children with learning difficulties, for 36 years and Carol Elsbury was deputy headteacher for 28 years.

Former pupils now attend one of two new schools - The Evergreen Primary School, in Bishop Auckland, and The Oaks Secondary School, in Spennymoor.

Town clerk Jamie Corrigan said: "The service these two ladies gave to the school and town must be unmatched in the county and is really appreciated.

"The school was a wonderful place and the children always a delight to meet; much of that is down to Mrs Stubbs and Mrs Elsbury."

The council also hosted a presentation of two special commendations by Durham Constabulary to two town centre officers - PC Chris Metcalfe and PC Gary Lamport.

Last summer, the two officers were key members of an investigation team that arrested and helped to convict a man of 23 sex offences against children for which he was sentenced to six years in prison.

Chief Superintendent Robin Trouson said: "The awards acknowledge the good work of local officers, whose local knowledge and careful search of the offender's property led to the recovery of important evidence.

"Their work did not just help bring a dangerous offender to justice, but also protects children in this community."