DAVID Laws' contract with Dorchester is to be terminated by mutual consent.

The former Terras scoring legend has told Magpies boss Mark Morris he is retiring from football because of work and family commitments.

"It's a great shame that we are losing him because he did really well for me when he came here at the end of last season and he trained his socks off in pre-season to get ready for the new campaign," said Morris today.

"But he says his commitments have become over-whelming in the past few weeks and he feels at this stage in his career he has to make a decision and we can only respect that."

The 35-year-old Wearsider, who works in the prison service, spent eight seasons at Weymouth after moving from the North East where he played for Bishop Auckland.

He was the Terras top scorer on numerous occasions before being loaned to Newport IoW in March 2002 to help ease a financial crisis at the Wessex Stadiuim.

He returned to Weymouth when Newport were relegated but then Terras boss Geoff Butler sold him to Eastleigh for £6,000 in September that year.

But seven months later Eastleigh agreed to tear up his contract because of difficulties he found in arranging his football around his full-time job at the Verne Prison on Portland and he came back to the Terras on a free transfer.

After being granted a testimonial by the Terras, he was then released by new boss Steve Claridge and signed for Wessex League Portland last summer.

However, towards the end of the season when the Blues also cut their wage bill, he was on the move again. When Morris brought him to the Avenue Stadium last March he played an important role in Dorchester's qualification for the new Nationwide Confer-ence South with five goals in their last seven games.

"His goals gave the side a lift and he did as much as anyone to change our fortunes in last season's run in," said Morris. "We are really sorry to see him go and wish him all the best in the future."

Added club chairman Eddie Belt: "Lawsey gave us a boost when we needed one and we are very thankful for that. I understand he may be moving back to the North East."

* Dorchester hopes of bringing defender Roy O'Brien back to the Avenue Stadium on loan from Yeovil have been dashed with the news that he has now signed a four-month contract at Huish Park. He had been on a month-to-month contract.