A FORMER Darlington resident has had her work in the oil industry recognised by having a ship named after her.

The oil tanker, Silver Ginny, which can carry up to 50,000 tonnes, has been named after former Darlington resident, Ginny McCloy.

The 45-year-old now lives in Singapore, where she has been based for the past nine years working as head of freight trading for oil giants, Shell.

Having secured a shipping deal for the company, it was decided the first ship to be built would be named after Mrs McCloy.

Following a naming ceremony in South Korea earlier this year, the ship is now in service carrying its first cargo to Europe.

Mrs McCloy said: “It was a great honour. The whole weekend of the naming ceremony in Ulsan was tremendous fun.

“There was a chance to a working tour of the vessel, kitted out in orange boiler suits, followed by a grand banquet dinner.

“All went according to plan, including the very important champagne breaking ceremony.”

Mrs McCloy attended Reid Street Primary School, in Darlington, before studying at Branksome School – now Darlington School of Mathematics and Science.

After attending the town’s Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College she went on to study chemistry at Oxford University before going on to work in the oil industry, where she has worked for the past 23 years.

Her father, John Lloyd, said: “She said it was a great honour to have the ship named after her – she thought it was absolutely fantastic.

“She has done very well.”