ONE of north Durham's longest-serving magistrates has retired from the bench.

Marion Ward has retired after serving more than 30 years at Chester-le-Street Magistrate's Court and the newly-formed North Durham Courts.

Ms Ward served as bench chairman at Chester-le-Street, as chairman of the advisory sub-committee and was a member of the youth panel and adult court.

Another north Durham magistrate, Patricia Readdie, who was originally appointed to Durham bench, has taken early retirement after serving for 15 years on the adult panel and later on the drug treatment testing panel.

Both magistrates were presented with gifts and certificates of service by bench chairman Mac Williams and deputy chairman Alan Milligan.

Mr Williams said: "Both magistrates have a wealth of experience and given total commitment over and above the requirement and often sat in court for long hours."

Both magistrates will be entitled to be put on the supplemental list for magistrates with the approval of the Home Secretary.