A GLOBETROTTING teacher known for her royal wedding floral display and creative work has retired after 36 years.

Cynthia Scott, began teaching floral arrangement at Greenfield Arts in Newton Aycliffe in 1983.

She has never missed a class over the decades and her work has gone on display at Chelsea Flower Show and a royal wedding.

She was part of a team of 40 professionals who arranged flowers at Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson's wedding in 1986.

She attended the event at Westminster Abbey the day following her own daughter's wedding.

She said: "The wedding was wonderful we were in the best part of Westminster Abbey and it was amazing.

"We worked on these flower bowls that went up into the arches of the abbey, there were about 16 of them. Lilies were put in at full length it was an unbelievable display.

"I was then presented to Fergie at Chelsea Flower show and she knew she'd met me before I couldn't believe it."

Mrs Scott's love of flowers began after she decided to attend an arrangement class with her friend in her hometown of Hexham.

The teacher saw a spark and encouraged her to enter competitions.

She kept winning shows and decided to enrol on a further education course at Ashington Technical College to teach others.

Since the course, she has not looked back and went on to set up Shildon and District Flower Club Sedgefield and District Flower Club.

She said: "I've gone on to do so much because of flower arranging. I've staged Chelsea Flower Show on three occasions and even been on four channels in India demonstrating flower arrangement. I went over there after I met a woman from India at Chelsea flower show.

"My father was a very good artist and I think the artistic element has been passed down to me and represented itself in flower arranging.

"I've had such a wonderful time at Greenfield. I think the staff have enjoyed seeing what the class has produced.

"I've brought on people who have become demonstrators which is very satisfying and people that do weddings"

Mrs Scott plans to travel following her retirement which includes a trip to New Zealand.

Katy Milne, director of Greenfield Arts said: "Cynthia has allowed people to express themselves and explore their creativity.

"The sessions have been a brilliant opportunity for people in the community."

Some of Mrs Scott's other floral arrangements have included an exhibition in honour of Mother Teresa and a display at Durham Cathedral in 1997 following Princess Diana's death.