DEPUTY headteacher Mervyn Armstrong will be packing away his geography books at the end of term when he retires from Sedgefield Community College.

After spending almost all of his 38-year career at the college, he plans to tour some of the places he has talked about in class.

Mr Armstrong aims to visit Lake Como, in Italy, and travel extensively around the British Isles.

After gaining his geography degree at Newcastle University, he took up his first teaching post at a secondary school near Ipswich. He returned to the North in 1967 to take up a post at the then Sedgefield Secondary School, where he has remained, becoming deputy headteacher in 1987.

His happiest moments at college include taking the school team through to four finals of the County Schools Cup, winning twice, and helping the college achieve sports college status.

His love of sport has not been restricted to school life, because Mr Armstrong at one time was a familiar figure on football pitches, played club badminton and is a regular on the ski slopes in Italy. He is also a keen gardener.

He lives in Newton Aycliffe, with his wife, Margaret, who is principal of Stockton and Billingham Technical College. They have four children and five grand children.

Paying tribute to Mr Armstrong's "outstanding contribution to Sedgefield college and community life", deputy headteacher John Tomlinson wished him a happy retirement.

A presentation dinner is to be held at Hardwick Hall Hotel on Wednesday, with many of his former colleagues, including former headteacher Tony Williams.