'LEGENDARY' Skipton NHS dental nurse Tracy Hargreaves has retired after clocking up an impressive 42-years helping generations of children and adults overcome their fears of going to the dentist.

Tracy's career started in 1981, directly after leaving school, when she became a trainee dental nurse with the community dental service based at the clinic at 9 The High Street, Skipton.

The service was later moved to Skipton General Hospital, Keighley Road, where she continued to serve the NHS, as well as seeing patients in Airedale and Castleberg Hospitals, Keighley and Settle Health Centres and in the mobile dental caravan for school visits.

Dr Jan-Friedrich Wulf, senior dental officer at Skipton General Hospital, said over the years Tracy had helped generations of children and adults to overcome their nerves over dental treatment and would be much missed.

Dr Wulf said: "Despite being increasingly involved in managerial tasks as lead dental nurse her true passion has always remained supporting patients to improve their dental health and wellbeing.

"Tracy will be sorely missed by her patients and colleagues. We wish her a happy retirement."