A PUB landladies' group has called last orders after 30 years of operation.

Margaret Briggs, a retired publican, carried out the last duty of the Redcar Ladies Auxiliary when she handed over the organisation's gold chain of office to John Sargison, managing director of Newcastle Breweries.

The presentation was made during the annual lunch gathering of pub landladies from across the North-East, at the Eslington Villa Restaurant, in Gateshead.

Ladies auxiliaries sprang to prominence during the 1960s and 1970s as a way for pub landladies to meet and raise money for licensed trade and local charities.

But pressures on the time of pub managers and tenants, particularly in the wake of all-day opening, has led to the closure of many groups during the past five years. The demise of the Redcar branch has left the Durham auxiliary as the only one in the North-East.

Mrs Briggs, who, with her husband Brian, ran the Duke William pub in Skelton, east Cleveland, for 13 years, before retiring last year, said: "We will still be involved in fundraising, but not under the Redcar banner."

A spokesman for Newcastle Breweries said: "We were sad to learn that the Redcar organisation has folded, as its members - along with those of similar groups - have done a lot of good work for charity.

"However, we were pleased to honour its request to safeguard its chain of office."