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 City, joined the council in 1973 as a youth and community officer in Durham and the Wear Valley.

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

Mr Robinson was appointed as the authority's adult education officer in 1991, within a reorganised community education service.

He has been the council's community education manager since 1993.

The community education service has recently been re-launched and renamed Education in the Community.

The £3.8m service supports 250 youth and community organisations, enables the community use of schools and employs 40 full-time staff and hundreds of part-time staff and volunteers.

"The county council plays an important part in the development of communities through informal education and support to voluntary youth and community association management committees'' said Mr Robinson.

"Working with local people to improve and maintain community facilities and assisting the development of educational programmes in local settings has been one of the most satisfying aspects of my job.

"I will certainly miss the contact with the many organisations and people with whom I have worked during the last 30 years.''

Mr Robinson says he is looking forward to continuing his voluntary work with the English Schools' Athletic Association, which he is treasurer of, and spending more time with his seven-month-old granddaughter.