A RADIOGRAPHER who has worked at hospitals across Cleveland for the last 39 years is retiring today.

Mary Atkinson will retire from her job as radiographer at Guisborough General Hospital after 32 years there.

Before her post at Guisborough, she worked at North Ormesby Hospital, Hemlington, Middlesbrough General and North Riding hospitals.

Although she is looking forward to spending more time with her husband, Trevor, and being able to see more of her grown-up daughters who live in Sheffield and Bristol, Mrs Atkinson is also sad to be leaving.

"I've got to know so many people and families in Guisborough through working here. They come and say 'Are you still here?' because I've seen them years earlier.

"It's been hard work at times, but there have been a lot of good times along the way too.

"When I started, I did everything - the office work, all the x-raying, but the changes in technology have been amazing.

"When I started, I was doing all the processing in the dark room. I had hoped I'd still be here when they installed the digital radiography equipment, but that's happening in October.

"I will really miss it. This is my last week and it's very difficult. I'm trying to pretend I won't miss it, but the people in this hospital are superb, it's a great team - this is how the health service should work."

Although she is retiring from the x-ray department, Mrs Atkinson, 59, will continue working part-time as a counsellor at one of Guisborough's doctors' surgeries.

She added: "I think radiography has been a great profession, and community hospitals are hugely important.

"I do enjoy the counselling though, it is something I'm very interested in, so I'm not leaving the medical profession altogether."

During her retirement, Mrs Atkinson plans to continue with her hobbies of yoga and walking and plans to do more travelling with her husband.