THE principal of a North-East college is retiring after 11 years at the helm.

David Houpt will be stepping down at the end of the month and will be succeeded at Derwendtside College by vice-principal of curriculum Albert Croney, on March 1.

Mr Houpt's retirement comes after a decade of change, which saw the college relocate and then rebuild.

It has also established a specialist sixth form centre for A-level study in Lanchester.

Mr Croney, who was born in Newcastle, has a background in engineering, which has seen him work both as a project engineer in the North-East and also as an engineering instructor for the United Nations in West Africa.

He has extensive experience and knowledge of the education sector and has been involved in further education for 25 years.

Mr Croney was head of engineering at Northumberland College before joining the senior management team at Derwentside College, in April 1998.

In his role of vice-principal of curriculum, he has been instrumental in developing a comprehensive curriculum to serve the needs of the area.

Mr Croney said: "I am looking forward to leading the college at such an exciting time for education within Derwentside and County Durham.

"The college will continue to seek imaginative ways in which it can support the social and business community within Derwentside and beyond."