A DENTAL therapist will put her drills away for the final time today (Thursday) after 50 years working in the industry.

Gilly Hunt, who is based at Hereford's Gaol Street clinic, has looked inside the mouths of around 90,000 people after starting her career in London in 1964.

The 70-year-old moved to Herefordshire in 1976 and has divided her time between clinics in Hereford, Leominster, Ledbury, Kington and Ewyas Harold. Her work even led to her being crowned dental therapist of the year in 2010.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my work, but it's time to move on now and do other things,"said Gilly, from Much Cowarne.

"I didn't anticipate that I would spend 50 years in the business when I started out, but I've made a lot of really good friends and I shall miss them, along with my patients."

Gilly said that she is now looking forward to a return to the mountains having already tackled the heights in Nepal, India, the Andes and Canada.

"I'm also looking forward to spending time with my grandchildren and will look for some voluntary work," added Gilly.