A FLORIST who has served her community for over six decades has retired.

Marjorie McCourt, 79, started working at The Flower Shop on Medomsley Road, in Consett, in 1955, aged 17.

On Saturday, 62 years later, she wrapped her last bouquet.

Mrs McCourt, from Leadgate, said: “It is all I have ever done and I have loved every minute of it.

“It was not something I expected to do. I just knew a lady who worked here when I left school and she gave me a start.

“I have known a lot of people over the years and never had any bother.”

Mrs McCourt, who is married to Danny, 80, a retired bricklayer, has two children, Judith and Bryan.

She now plans to spend more time with her family and visiting places.

She added: “It has changed a bit over time with the arrival of the supermarkets.

“There is still plenty of work, and people still like to have things delivered, but there is not so much passing trade as there used to be.

“I will miss it very much.”