A WOMAN who first set foot in Northallerton Grammar School 50 years ago retired last week.

Linda Hanner first went to the school, which she has since seen develop into Northallerton College, in 1953 to sit her 11-plus exam.

She went on to pass nine O-levels and two A-levels which, after two years at ICI Billingham, helped her to land a job at the school as laboratory technician, a post she has held for the past 30 years.

Her links with the grammar school extend beyond her own education and employment.

Her mother was also a pupil and her son and daughter were educated there in the Seventies.

Mrs Hanner's job of preparing and setting up equipment for chemistry and physics has changed over the past 30 years with the evolution of science and the development of the grammar school into a community college.

But her main memories are of the three head teachers and several heads of science she has worked for in that time.

In retirement Mrs Hanner intends to potter in her garden in her home in Northallerton, something she has missed out on recently because of a hip replacement. She also hopes to join a walking group.

She will continue embroidering cross-stitch pictures and following her interest in local history.