It may not be the most popular analogy in Yorkshire but Sheila Saunders stepping down as Leeds Jewish Housing Association chief executive has been likened to Sir Alex Ferguson vacating the manager's chair at Manchester United.

Ms Saunders, 64, is retiring after 23 years with the LJHA, having also served as chief executive of Leeds Jewish Welfare Board until 2005. Executive director Darren Cooper will succeed her in the post.

More than 200 people attended her leaving party on Monday at the Marjorie and Arnold Ziff Community Centre in Alwoodley, set up by the welfare board and housing association in 2005.

As part of the tribute, staff reworked the lyrics to The Proclaimers' classic, 500 Miles, to sing: "I will build 500 houses".

"I have been utterly overwhelmed," Ms Saunders said. "I wanted a low-key leaving do, no flowers, no presents. But nobody listened. Now I think I will have to build an extension to fit all my wonderful presents in.

‘It has been the best job in the world’

"It has been the best job in the world, but it is time to move on and give the job to the young people.

"I couldn't bear to walk out that door without knowing I have absolutely the right team to keep that passion going."

Mr Cooper compared her departure to "Sir Alex Ferguson retiring from Manchester United. She is a workaholic and very, very determined. But she is also extremely creative and cares deeply about all of our tenants."

She will now have more time to devote to her cross-Pennine duties as Lady Mayoress of Manchester - the Lord Mayor, Councillor Mark Hackett, is a long-time friend. She also intends to write a book on her experiences of the changing welfare state.