A LASTING and poignant tribute to a Redcar and Cleveland councillor who died almost a year ago was made last week when a housing office was named after her.

The Grangetown Area Housing Office at Kingsley Road, Grangetown, was officially named Barbara Bowater House during a ceremony in which a plaque was unveiled.

Coun Bowater represented the Grangetown ward from 1989, and until last year had served five years as chairwoman of housing and later lead councillor for housing.

Iain Sim, the chief executive of Cast and Country Housing, said: "The name change will reflect the dedication of Coun Bowater who gave unstinting service during her time in office."

Coun Bowater's widower, Geoff, was at the naming ceremony along with the mayor, Coun Eric Jackson, and the mayoress, Coun Brenda Forster, and the chairman of Coast and Country Housing Frank Connorton.

Also present was the leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, Coun David Walsh.

The authority's 12,000 housing stock was transferred to Coast and Country Housing last month. The new body will maintain and manage the properties in a rolling multi-million pounds investment programme.