A pharmacist has retired after a quarter of a century.

Pauline Williams, 65, is thanking well-wishers for their messages on her last day working at Boots Pharmacy after 25 years.

Pauline, who is from Haltwhistle, was pleased to see supportive messages from the community she grew up in.

She has had several jobs in the town and is pleased to finally relax.

"I started working at 15," Pauline said.

"My first job was at Armstrong’s fashion and bridal shop, which I worked at straight from school.

"I worked for 17 years until I had my family.

"This was where I learned all there is to know about working in retail.

"After that, I had a couple of little jobs in between before starting at Boots, where I stayed for 25 years.

"I have always worked locally and loved getting to know lots of people.

"Pharmacy is a very different role where I was mainly the face in the front shop, but I did have to learn to be a dispenser.

"I’m a people person, so it was the right role for me."

"Of course, the role has not been without its challenges.

"I worked all through the pandemic which was very challenging on top of the job.

"Pharmacy is a very demanding job, which I don’t think people realise and are aware of.

"I am very grateful for working at Boots for 25 years and I would like to thank everyone for all the kind wishes."