IT was the end of an era yesterday when one of Teesside's most popular academic institutions shut its doors for the final time.

For the past four years, South Park Sixth Form College, in Normanby, Middlesbrough, has been part of Prior Pursglove College, in Guisborough.

Following a decline in student numbers and an increase in students travelling to Guisborough, the campus is closing.

And in the next few weeks, the bulldozers move in to demolish the building to make way for a new housing estate.

The college was built in the 1950s and was home to Eston Grammar School. It was built so it could be converted into a hospital in the event of war.

It became South Park Sixth Form College in the early 1970s and more than 5,000 Teesside students have passed through its doors.

One person who knew most of them had a lump in her throat yesterday - Marilyn McGee followed in her father's footsteps to become college caretaker.

Gerry Burns was caretaker from 1976 until 1983 and his daughter acted as both the relief and assistant caretaker until she took over in 1989.

"It has been a very emotional time. A lot of nice people work here."

She said her father, who died four years ago, would be upset to see the college empty.

"He liked working with the students and that is what I like about the job as well. We are one big happy family here."

Former Eston Grammar pupil Pamela Jones has taught at the college since 1982.

"There have been talks about us closing for at least ten years and we have fought really hard to keep the college open. I hope it is not depriving the students of this area because we will do everything we can to make sure potential students come to us at Guisborough and benefit."