HAMBLETON'S "iron lady" is stepping down as district councillor after 34 years.

June Imeson has served since the council's inception in 1973. She is one of only two original members remaining, along with Frank Wade, who is also retiring.

As a councillor, she has fought passionately for the interests of Hambleton and in particular Great Ayton.

She campaigned for the sculpture of Captain James Cook, which stands on Great Ayton's High Green and is responsible for the World of James Herriot attraction in Thirsk, which was created to preserve the famous vet surgery where Alf Wight worked.

Mrs Imeson fought to keep Hambleton's parking free and, when she began her ten-year term as council leader, no council tax was levied for two years because of savings made by transferring council houses to Broadacres.

But her crowing glory was saving Great Ayton from becoming part of Teesside in the Government's boundary reorganisations in the early Seventies.

For her protest, she organised a 200-car motorcade that travelled from Great Ayton to Northallerton.

In 2003, she was awarded an OBE for services to Great Ayton and Hambleton, and was made vice-chairwoman of the council, becoming chairwoman in 2004.

Mrs Imeson, affectionately known as Hamleton's "iron lady", decided to retire by informing council chief executive Peter Simpson and council leader Arthur Barker, as well as the Conservative Association and MP William Hague.

Mrs Imeson said the only low points on the council were the creation of the cabinet system and the present debate about North Yorkshire being governed by a unitary authority.

She said: "The staff of Hambleton have been fantastic. The members have been great and it has been a great honour and privilege to serve for 34 years."

Mrs Imeson is still a parish councillor for Great Ayton and is president of the Great Ayton Conservative Association and the Great Ayton Bowls Club.

She is also chairwoman of the Captain Cook Schoolroom Trust and is involved with the Captain Cook Tourism Association.