COUNTY Durham social services director Peter Kemp is to leave his post after almost two decades at the helm.

Mr Kemp, 56, the county's social services chief for more than 18 years, is also the longest serving social services director in the country.

Announcing his departure in April of next year, Mr Kemp said it was "time to move on and take a change of direction.''

Mr Kemp took over as director in 1986 having previously been deputy director for two years.

After graduating from Durham University, he took a post graduate diploma in Applied Social Studies at Nottingham University and qualified as a child care officer in 1969.

Since then his career has taken him from the London Borough of Wandsworth to Gateshead, Newcastle, Berkshire and Northamptonshire social services departments.

Mr Kemp was awarded the OBE in the Millennium Honours List in recognition of his contribution to social services in County Durham.

"I've stayed so long in the county for a number of reasons, including the huge challenges it has faced over the past 20 years," he said.

He added: "I've always relished the challenge of the job, which has usually been made easier by the calibre of staff who have supported me.

"However having exceeded the average career expectancy of a Director of Social Services by several years, I feel the time is right to move on and take a change of direction," said Mr Kemp, who is married with three children.

Council Leader Ken Manton said: "There are many people of all ages in County Durham who have cause to be grateful to Mr Kemp's energy, vision and compassion."