AN independent school has said goodbye to a long-serving governor.
Barnard Castle School, in County Durham, has also appointed a new vice-chairman of the governors.
Reay Atkinson, 79, joined the board of governors in 1988 and three years later became vice-chairman.
The former regional director of the Department of Industry and founder of the Northern Rock Foundation has now decided to step down.
Mr Atkinson, who lives at Garrigill, near Alston, Cumbria, said: "It's never been a chore and has been a most enjoyable experience, but really I'm getting too old."
Catherine Elgey, 41, a finance director at Sherwoods motor dealership, in Darlington, has been selected to take over the role.
Ms Elgey, from Richmond, North Yorkshire, has been a governor for six years and is also a magistrate, treasurer of the Friends of the Bowes Museum and a member of St Teresa's Hospice finance committee.
The chairman of governors, Euan Macfarlane, paid tribute to Mr Atkinson for his dedicated service.
Michael Crosby, the former headteacher of Ashville College, Harrogate, has also joined the board of governors.
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