A This is Your Life event was held for a Stockton college principal who retired after nine years.

Old photographs, video clips and special guests helped piece together the life story of Margaret Armstrong who had been principal of Stockton Riverside College for nine years.

After 25 years in further education, Mrs Armstrong is hoping to spend a large part of her retirement in Italy, close to Lake Como.

She said: "I'm looking forward to enjoying many happy days in a truly spectacular location. I've been learning Italian so that I can make the most of my time abroad and I'll enjoy the challenge of putting my new-found linguistic skills to the test".

Originally from Wearside, Mrs Armstrong undertook varied roles in industry and administration before beginning her career in teaching.

She moved into further education in 1978, joining Darlington College of Technology as a lecturer.

After two years she became an IT advisor for Cleveland Education Authority, prior to a role as Head of Department at Hartlepool College of Further Education, where she spent three years from 1987.

In 1989, Mrs Armstrong was appointed vice-principal of Redcar and Cleveland College, before moving to Stockton and Billingham College as principal in May 1994.

During her time in charge, Mrs Armstrong has presided over a period of immense change and she leaves the Stockton Riverside College, in new premises and on a sound financial footing.