THE principal of a North-East college has spoken for the first time after announcing his retirement.

Peter Shuker has been principal and chief executive of Darlington College of Technology for 14 years.

He announced his decision, which will take effect in July, to the college's corporation board this week.

Yesterday, he said the incoming principal would be in for a "challenge".

He said: "I have to say the role of being a senior leader in education is very challenging now.

"Changes which are being brought in by the Government are going to be even more challenging, and it makes sense for me to allow someone to come in at the very beginning of these changes, rather than me see them through for a year, and then have them come in."

Mr Shuker will retire at the age of 64.

Speaking about the challenges facing the new principal, he said: "There are so many things that need to be achieved. This is a business now.

"The college has a £13m turnover and 500 staff.

"If you get things wrong, then there are a lot of people at risk."

Mr Shuker said that when he arrived at the college, there had been a great deal of work needed.

"I had been principal at Leeds, a very modern and new college," he said.

"Darlington was in a bit of a mess. We have achieved quite a lot in that time since then. There is a great team of people behind the college's achievements.

"I think the college has a lot going for it now. It is making its mark in its community.

"It is helping a lot of people take the next step forward. It is making a difference in people's lives.

"I can look back with satisfaction. I go for positive reasons. I would have had to have gone in 2002 anyway.

"It is far more sensible to have the new person facing the new challenges from the start, rather than inherit a regime."

Mr Shuker plans to spend his retirement enjoying "sports I have neglected" and travelling.

His retirement brings to an end a 38-year career in further education, during which he has been at the forefront of national and international developments.

He has been heavily involved in the introduction of information technology systems for education and computer-based access for learning.

He has taken the college, in Cleveland Avenue, Darlington, from a cash crisis in 1991, through a £3m redevelopment in the mid-1990s, and into record-breaking recruitment of students