A HIGHLY regarded councillor who was instrumental in the creation of the new Middlesbrough College has been remembered in a special tree-planting ceremony.

Cllr Hazel Pearson, OBE, who died in February this year at the age of 92, was chairman of governors at the college and its predecessors for more than 35 years.

She was was crucial in choosing Middlehaven – then an industrial wasteland ripe for regeneration – when the time came for the college to merge from four previous establishments on different sites.

The tree-planting was the idea of Middlesbrough Conservative Association, who decided the garden at the entrance to the college was the perfect place for it to grow.

Cllr Val Beadnall, who originated the idea, and Conservative Group leader Cllr Chris Hobson, who took it forward, joined college principal and chief executive Zoe Lewis at the ceremony.

Ms Lewis said: “We were delighted with the suggestion of planting a tree to honour Cllr Pearson, because Middlesbrough College certainly owes her a great deal.

“Over many years, she shared our commitment to the local community, and did everything she could to help raise ambitions and aspirations.

“By taking the bold decision to locate the college at Middlehaven, right in the heart of the town, Cllr Pearson not only helped to kick off a huge regeneration, but also gave us the industrial links that have proved so successful for the college and our students.”

The tree planted in honour of Cllr Pearson was a variety of hazel. A plaque bearing the councillor’s name was also donated by the Association to stand at the foot of the tree.