AN era has come to an end in Northallerton with the retirement of one of the best-known people in the town.

Joan Stenson is stepping down after 34 years as the registrar of births, deaths and marriages.

Joan first joined the service in 1967 as a part-time deputy and since then thousands of local people have been to see her to get married, register a birth or report a death.

It is estimated that over the years she has registered 27,667 births, 18,228 deaths and 6,412 marriages.

"I am sad to be leaving after all these years," she said.

"I know so many people and have seen them come as a baby to be registered and then come back to marry and then register their own children."

Head of regulatory services Stuart Pudney said: "There can be few people in Northallerton who have not dealt with Joan in one way or another and the place will not be the same without her.

"But even in retirement Joan still can't keep away from the job she has loved for so many years as she will be helping out by providing cover for absences and at busy times."

However, to help her relax when she is not too busy, colleagues presented Joan with a garden bench as a retirement gift.