WHEN youth leader Margaret Smith (pictured) retires at the end of this month it will be the end of a remarkable double, unlikely to be repeated in any other part of the Lancashire youth service.

For Mrs Smith and her husband, John, have clocked up an almost unbelievable stint of 81 years between them at the one youth club -- and for 35 years of that time Mrs Smith has been her husband's boss.

Mrs Smith, of Newline, Bacup, will retire from Stacksteads Youth Club when she reaches 65 this month but before that -- on the 19th -- there will be a special celebration to say an official but very fond farewell to Margaret.

Jackie Poucher, a community youth worker at Rossendale, said: "Their contribution has been fantastic when you think of the thousands of youngsters they have worked with.

"I think they are a one-off and I cannot see their record being repeated. Margaret has so much energy and the knack of using it to motivate others."

Born in Bacup, Mrs Smith was originally a member of the club and at the age of 20 she became an assistant leader and then was eventually promoted to the leadership. As youth leader she is at the club, which meets in Holy Trinity School, three nights a week.

In its heyday the club was housed in Western School, now demolished, and could attract 150 members a night.

Even now Mrs Smith is able to attract a steady membership of 40.

Her daughter, Mrs Elaine Ryde, of Burnley: "Youngsters really love and respect her.

" She seems to have that knack -- a bit of magic that applies all the way through from babies to young couples on the verge of getting married.

"She has kept up to date with everything. My mother seems to have adjusted with each generation. She knows more about the effects of drugs than I do, for instance."

It is hoped that many of those young people -- now grandparents and parents themselves -- will be there on Mrs Smith's special night at the Leisure Hall in Bacup.

Mr Smith retired as his wife's assistant when he was 65 last year.

The couple have another daughter, Nicola, who lives in Devon, and three grandsons.