SHEILA Todd thought she might stay for a few months when she took over as landlady of a village pub - but 18 years on, she will finally call time on Friday .

"I had never pulled a pint before, so it was a real change to go on duty behind the bar," she said yesterday at the Royal Oak, in Butterknowle, near Barnard Castle.

She has run the pub single-handed, as her husband Peter is a builder working all over Teesdale.

But he took a turn at serving this week when Mrs Todd's customers threw a surprise party for her.

Mrs Todd said: "I was behind the bar virtually all the time during opening hours for 18 years, but Peter had to stand in for a while so that I could enjoy the party."

Members of the pub's domino team, pigeon club and leek club helped to organise the party, along with other regulars, to thank Sheila for her cheerful service.

The couple are moving a few miles to Westgarth Farm, at Copley Bent.