THE region’s newest university campus and the country’s oldest floating battleship have been paid a royal visit.

The Duke of Kent visited the region yesterday where he toured Teesside University’s campus in Darlington.

He also visited Hartlepool and was shown round HMS Trincomalee, the oldest British warship afloat, which is used as an educational establishment.

The £13m Darlington university building opened in October last year.

Yesterday, the duke was shown the work of people studying for a degree in crime scene science.

A crime scene with a body had been recreated and the duke watched students gather evidence.

As well as representatives from the university, he also met civic dignitaries including Darlington Mayor Lee Vasey, and the chairman of Darlington Partnership, Alasdair MacConachie.

University vice-chancellor Professor Graham Henderson said it was a great honour for the duke to visit the campus.

He said: “I am sure your visit will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of my period as vice-chancellor.

“We wanted to advance the higher education infrastructure that a community the size and scale of Darlington deserves.

“Now our first building is here, it will help to raise the aspirations and skills of not just the young people, but the adults in this community.”

The duke unveiled a plaque to mark the official opening of the building and was presented with a framed print depicting the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.

He said: “One can only be impressed by this tremendous building.

“What is also important is the high levels of student satisfaction, and it shows that the university is meeting their needs.”

Following the visit to Darlington, the duke went to Hartlepool to see HMS Trincomalee.

He was shown how the ship is used as an educational establishment and was introduced to several children who use it.

He also met bosses from three educational establishments that work closely with HMS Trincomalee – Manor College of Technology, in Hartlepool, Hackforth and Hornby Primary School, in North Yorkshire, and Teesside University.