THREE teachers who clocked up nearly a century of teaching between them are leaving a Bishop Auckland school.

Judith Bainbridge and Carol Heslop are retiring from Cockton Hill Infant’s School, and Deborah Tomkinson is leaving her full-time post, but plans to return for supply work.

Deputy headteacher Miss Bainbridge joined the school in 1970 and has taught all the year groups during her time there, but more recently looked after the year one pupils.

She was made deputy headteacher from 1991 to 1994 and resumed the role in 1996.

She was struck down by septicaemia last year, and is currently on a long-term recovery programme, but plans to return to the school to do some music lessons with the pupils when she recovers.

Miss Bainbridge said: "We have always had a good school here with good staff."

Miss Heslop, who taught pupils in year two, joined the school straight from college, 39 years ago.

She admitted feeling sad about retiring, and said: "This is a very welcoming school and I wouldn’t have stayed this long if it had not been such a happy place."

Reception class teacher Mrs Tomkinson, who ran art competitions during her 15-year career at the school, also expressed her sadness at leaving.

She added: "There are lovely staff and children here. The highlight has been seeing the children’s achievements and making progress through the school."

The trio were presented with numerous gifts, cards and flowers during a special assembly for parents and pupils yesterday.