TRIBUTES have been paid to a long-serving magistrate who has upheld the law for three decades.

Linda Le Dune, a JP for almost 32 years, made her last appearance on the North Durham panel at Peterlee Magistrates' Court, on Monday.

She was appointed a magistrate in Chester-le-Street, in October 1974, but after the court ceased to operate in 2002, she served on the North Durham panel, at either Peterlee, Consett or Durham.

Mrs Le Dune often chaired the adult bench, but also served on the licensing, juvenile and probation liaison panels.

Following her last day at court, having reached the upper age limit of 70, she was thanked for her service by North Durham magistrates' chairman Mac Williams.

He praised her for her contribution to the court service and referred to the many skills she brought to the bench.

"She respected all court users and was always courteous with defendants," said Mr Williams, who presented Mrs Le Dune with a certificate of service signed by the Lord Chancellor's office.

Further tributes were paid by justices' clerk Linda Brenkley, representatives of the Crown Prosecution and probation services, as well as defence lawyers.

Mrs Le Dune said: "I've enjoyed my time on the bench. I've found it quite stimulating and very interesting.

"I was looking back in an old magistrates' diary and I could not believe how many different panels I was involved with.

"You couldn't find the time now," said Mrs Le Dune, a former member of North Lodge Parish Council, in Chester-le-Street, and the wife of a retired GP, Leon.

Their son, Philip, is also a practising GP, in Annfield Plain, near Stanley.

A retirement party will be held next month at Durham County Cricket Club's Riverside ground.