THE head of Durham County Council's education in the community service is retiring after almost 30 years with the authority.

Peter Robinson, of Gilesgate, Durham, joined the council in 1973 as a youth and community officer in Durham and the Wear Valley.

In 1982 he became the areas' further education advisor before a three-year secondment in 1987, to develop education programmes for unemployed adults under the Government's Replan programme.

Mr Robinson was appointed the authority's adult education officer in 1991 and has been its community education manager since 1993.

The community education service was relaunched as Education in the Community and supports 250 youth and community organisations.

Mr Robinson said: "I will certainly miss the contact with the many organisations and people with whom I have worked."

He plans to continue his voluntary work with the English Schools' Athletic Association and to spend more time with his baby granddaughter