A NEW chapter is opening up for Freda Lofthouse after a lifetime in the book trade.

But her job as chief book buyer for well-known family firm Dressers, will be in safe hands. For taking over the crucial role will be Diana Birks who herself has clocked up 30 years with the company.

Miss Lofthouse, of Scorton, near Richmond, has just retired after spending 34 years as a book buyer for all Dressers' branches based in the Darlington head office.

Although sad to go, she said: "I will now be able to do a lot of things I have been putting off over the years because of work commitments."

The years have seen many book fads come and go but Miss Lofthouse claims nothing compares to the phenomenon of Harry Potter. "I've seen nothing like the success of the Harry Potter books. However, these days it is becoming easy to lose sight of the book and get lost in all the media hype."

Store manager Elspeth Harrison, who also has 47 years' service with the company, said: "Freda was deeply interested in people and what they wanted to read - not what she thought should be on the shelf."