A LEADING figure in the development of an adult education centre in Winchester is stepping down after 17 years.

Friends and colleagues gathered at the Adult Continuing Education Centre in Stoney Lane, Weeke, to salute assistant principal, Linda Green.

Peter Symonds College manages the venue, and its principal, Neil Hopkins, was among those who came to wish her well.

He said: "Linda has built up the ACE almost from scratch in the early 1990s to the hugely successful organisation it is today.

"ACE changes lives and we have to acknowledge the large part Linda herself has played in that process.

"We wish her a long and happy retirement."

At the gathering last month she received flowers and gifts from fellow staff.

She said: "I have always enjoyed my work. It has been exciting having to be flexible and responsive and growing through all the changes here.

"I will miss the people I have worked with over many years. They are a dedicated, committed and superb group of people."

The mother-of-two, who started her career as a primary school teacher, leaves her post at the end of this month.

She will be replaced by Alex Day, former assistant principal in charge of students at Peter Symonds, who will be taking the new title of Head of ACE Division.