A UNIVERSITY renamed a campus to mark the 80th birthday of its famous champion yesterday.

From now on, St Peter's Campus, at Sunderland University, will be known as the Sir Tom Cowie Campus, in recognition of Sunderland-born Sir Tom's contribution to the university, the city and the region.

One of the North-East's best-known businessmen, he founded the Cowie Group motor sales company, which later became Arriva.

Sir Tom, who celebrates his 80th birthday this month, is now the transport firm's life president.

The campus was renamed in his honour at a ceremony attended by his family and friends, and civic and regional leaders.

Lord David Puttnam, university chancellor, said: "Sir Tom has been an energetic and highly effective chairman of the university's development trust since 1994, and during recent years has led our successful campaign to raise funds for the new digital media centre at St Peter's.

"We are hugely grateful to him for his support and for all he continues to do for the university, the city and the wider region."

Sir Tom left Sunderland's Bede School at 15 to work in his father's motorbike repair and sales shop.

After serving in the RAF during the Second World War, he restarted the business in his own name and went on to great success, with Cowies becoming one of the UK's biggest companies.

Sir Tom has been chairman of Sunderland Football Club and has played leading roles in community and charitable organisations.