THE last curator of a popular North-East museum is stepping down after 22 years.

A reception will be held at Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle, County Durham, to mark the retirement of Elizabeth Conran, who took up the post in 1979.

Her farewell party will also mark the retirement of the last curator of the museum, with her successor, Adrian Jenkins, taking the post of director.

Ms Conran was awarded an OBE in 1994 for her work at the museum, which included an exhibition of the Queen Mother's wardrobe, which attracted more than 80,000 visitors in four months, during the museum's centenary year in 1992.

The reception will take place at the museum on Friday, and any former staff, colleagues and friends of Ms Conran can contact the museum on (01833) 690606, for further details.