A SCHOOL headteacher gave her pupils a surprise gift to mark her retirement - a grand picnic followed by a special falconry display.

Children at Raventhorpe Preparatory School, in Carmel Road North, Darlington, watched in amazement as hawks, owls and other birds of prey swooped through the grounds.

Headteacher Doreen Proctor thought the display, organised by Ridgeside Falconry, in Spennymoor, was a unique way to mark her retirement after 27 years with the school.

"I invited each school year to a grand picnic in the grounds followed by a surprise display. The children didn't know what to expect," said Mrs Proctor.

"Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day. The children were allowed to hold some of the birds and we had pictures taken with them."

Mrs Proctor, 58, will leave the school on Thursday, retiring at the same time as her husband Al, who is headteacher at Applegarth Primary School in Northallerton, North Yorkshire.

"I will be sad to leave. I will miss the children dreadfully. But I am looking forwards to retirement. We are hoping to travel and spend more time with our grandchildren," she said.

Mrs Proctor joined the school in 1977 as a teacher.

She became Raventhorpe's second headteacher six years ago following the death of its founder and former headteacher, Miss Cicely Jaques.

Ian Parker will become the first male headteacher at the school when he takes over in September.

He is director of studies at Aysgarth School, in Bedale.