TWO stalwarts of North-East exports have retired after a combined 85 years of service.

Ron Seymour and Joyce Rawlings of UK Trade & Investment have helped many companies set up business and sort through the rules and regulations involved with selling overseas.

Mr Seymour, international trade adviser, joined the Board of Trade in Newcastle in February 1967.

Mrs Rawlings, regional marketing manager, joined the Board of Trade in Cardiff as a temp in 1968 while waiting for her A-level results.

Mr Seymour said one of his first tasks was to operate an audio-visual presentation on the region.

“This was made up of a cassette player and two Kodak carousel slide projectors and narrated by none other than Mike Neville,” he said.

Mrs Rawlings moved to London in 1971 and worked in the Department of Trade and Industry headquarters dealing with Britain’s entry into the Common Market.

She moved back to the region in the 1980s and was involved in attracting giants like Nissan and Fujitsu to the area.

David Coppock, international trade director, said: “Both Ron and Joyce have been crucial in helping North-East companies make the best of overseas opportunities, both in terms of inward investment and exporting our goods and services.”