ENGINEERING apprentices have unveiled a unique memorial gate in memory of a former student who died in a car accident.

Mason Pearson, 17, from Thirsk, died in 2018.

The former Darlington College student was part-way through completing an engineering apprenticeship with Northallerton-based company Allerton Steel when the accident happened.

Staff and students at the college have now unveiled new metal gates, which were designed as part of a year-long project to create a memorial at the Woodburn Gardens development, in Darlington.

Angela and Stephen Pearson, Mason's parents, attended the unveiling along with the apprentices who created the final design for the gates.

Mr Pearson said: “We are immensely proud to see Mason remembered by his fellow students and teachers in this way.

"He was delighted to be working with Allerton Steel during his apprenticeship training and always had the long-term goal of working in the industry to be able to travel and work around the globe.

“To have such a permanent memorial to Mason and his life gives us such a feeling of warmth and I’d like to thank the lads at the college for including Mason in this project.”

The apprentices, who are studying at the college as part of its advanced engineering apprenticeship programme, designed the intricate design on the gates, which also features a memorial plaque, as part of the year-long project with Homes by Esh.

They had been tasked with designing the two decorative metal gates to provide access from Woodburn Gardens into the West Cemetery via the traditional brick wall which encircles the development perimeter.

The brief to design the gates was given to apprentice students as a way to incorporate the history and heritage of the local area in the design and the young people wanted to use the opportunity to create a memorial for Mason, who had hoped to one day work in the the industry.

The final gate design was manufactured offsite before being installed along with the decorative plaque last month.

The development, located on the site of the former Woodburn Nursery near Coniscliffe Road in Darlington, is home to 25 properties and the new gate represents one of the final additions to completion.

Colin Willetts, deputy managing director of Homes by Esh, said: “We were honoured to have both Stephen and Angela and the group of apprentices visit Woodburn Gardens to see the memorial plaque at the gates in memory of their friend.

“We’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate the students on their hard work and commitment to the project and thank them for this permanent tribute to Mason here at Woodburn Gardens.”

Mason, who was a devoted Middlesbrough Football Club fan, was a back seat passenger in a car when it crashed on the A61 between Busby Stoop and Carlton Miniott in March 2018.

The crash also killed 17-year-old George Thomas Turner, who was travelling in the same vehicle.