PUPILS will say a fond farewell to a favourite teacher this week.

James Alderson, 55, head of science and examinations officer at Hurworth Comprehensive School, is retiring tomorrow.

He joined the village school in 1979. Before that, he worked at Eastbourne Comprehensive School and at schools in Liverpool.

"I'm not seeing it as retirement. I'll come back to do supply teaching. I'd hate to cut off ties with the school altogether," he said.

Mr Alderson plans to spend as much of his retirement as possible outdoors at his home in Grinton, in the Yorkshire Dales.

"I'll be gardening and I've got hens to look after, and there will be dry stonewalling to do. I also play cricket and golf," he said.