Esteemed North-East actor Richard Griffiths has returned to his roots to repay the college that helped him on the road to success.

Griffiths, best known as the chef in TV's Pie in the Sky and the predatory Uncle Monty in cult film Withnail and I, was asked to open the new theatre at Stockton Riverside College.

Formerly Stockton and Billingham College, the seat of learning provided Mr Griffiths with the qualifications necessary to secure his first job 30 years ago.

A local lad, he was raised by deaf and dumb parents in Thornaby and left secondary school with no qualifications.

It was only when he started working in a local branch of Littlewoods that he was persuaded to enrol at college to help him enter the store's management course.

However, instead of taking maths lessons, he chose drama - and the rest is history.

The actor wasn't the only one to receive honours yesterday - college principal Margaret Armstrong was lost for words after receiving an honour of her own.

As a surprise, staff unveiled a plaque above the entrance door of the theatre that read The Margaret Armstrong Theatre.

A spokesman said: "We decided to name the theatre after the principal, who retires in July, as a lasting tribute to her immense work on behalf of the college over the years.

"She was almost overcome with emotion with this surprise and said she felt honoured and delighted to have the theatre named after her."

Stockton and Billingham College decamped to its Teesdale site earlier this year, changing its name in the process.