THE unveiling of a simple plaque marked the opening of a new £640,000 elderly and disabled housing scheme in the region yesterday.

Bob Harrison Court, in Pendleton Road, Darlington, consists of six elderly persons bungalows and two for the disabled.

The scheme, delivered by the Railway Housing Association and Benefit Fund, is named after former committee member Bob Harrison.

His widow Eileen unveiled a plaque in honour of her husband, who passed away in 1997, which said simply: "A gentle, caring man of the people."

She also planted a tree at the new housing complex whose residents began moving in earlier this year.