A SCHOOL is sending out an open invitation to thousands of south Durham residents to help a long-serving teacher end his career in style.

Nearly 40 years in the classroom has left teacher Neville Davison with thousands of friends among present and former staff and pupils at Bishop Barrington Comprehensive School, in Bishop Auckland.

Now the school hopes as many of them as possible will join in a huge tribute to the dedicated deputy headteacher, when he retires at the end of term.

Mr Davison joined Bishop Barrington 36 years ago, when it was called Vinovium Secondary Modern School.

He has played an important role in its remarkable success story.

From 1993, when it was criticised by the Office for Standards in Education, the comprehensive school has risen to the point where it has been named as one of the top five Investor in People schools in the country.

As well as teaching mathematics, Mr Davison guided children through the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme.

He said: "Bishop Barrington has been a wonderful school to work in. The vast majority of parents are very supportive, and it is lovely to work with them for the success of the children.

"There is a lot of pressure in education, and we are all striving for success, but the children are the most important people. It will be a wrench to leave them."

Bishop Barrington headteacher Keith Cotgrave paid tribute to Mr Davison and his wife, Freda.

He said: "Neville has made a tremendous contribution to the school. He is an amazing human being. He is a totally unique character."

Anyone wishing to contribute to Mr Davison's leaving present or send a message of tribute should contact the school, at Woodhouse Lane, Bishop Auckland, DL14 6LA.