A deputy head teacher is retiring from a school where he was once a pupil.

Neil Chapman, has been at Houghton Community Junior School for 23 years where he has seen hundreds of children come and go throughout the years.

Mr Chapman was also born and raised in the village.

He said: “I now see the children of pupils that I used to teach, which is lovely.”

Instead of teaching kids everyday, the much-loved teacher will explore a number of other avenues in his retirement, including his boat business and his education supplies company.

“I will also be doing a 1,000-mile ride from Northern France to the Mediterranean; it is just something that I have wanted to do.”

The 63-year-old has decided to retire from teaching as he believes “it is the right time.”

“There are lots and lots of good things that I can remember in my time here,” said Mr Chapman.