MANAGERS at Darlington's Lingfield Point have made a presentation to one of the site's longest-serving employees.

Ivy Kennedy began work as a cleaner at Lingfield Point in 1972, when Patons and Baldwin's owned the site. She has continued to work at the site during several changes of ownership.

Mrs Kennedy, 77, still works every week-day morning, cleaning the estate offices and security gatehouse.

She has lived in one of the Lingfield Point estate houses since the 1960s, when her late husband secured employment as a bricklayer on the site.

The director of Lingfield Estates, John Orchard, and estates manager Eddie Humphries presented Mrs Kennedy with her chosen gift - a sofabed.

She said: "I have seen a lot of changes in my 30 years at Lingfield Point. It has been my work and home for a very long time and I am very fond of the site and the people who work here. I'd like to thank Lingfield for the lovely sofabed and for showing appreciation of my work."

Mr Humphries said: "Ivy is a great example to us all and a very popular member of the team at Lingfield Point. We are absolutely delighted to be able to mark over 30 years of exceptional service and hope that Ivy will remain working for us for many more years.