SOUTH Devon College principal Heather Maxwell has been given an Easy Rider style send-off.

Ms Maxwell, credited with turning around the fortunes of the college, was escorted by the college's three-strong Harley Davidson chapter to the end-of-term party at Paignton Zoo.

Andy Hobbs from the automotive team, wearing a specially sprayed crash hat in the college purple, led the escort on a Harley Davidson Softail Custom.

At the rear on Harley Sportsters were Adele Dawson, head of skills innovation and projects, on an 883cc version and Debbie Butcher, learning resources manager, wearing full leathers on a 1200cc 'beast'.

Adele, who came up with the idea, said: "Heather has been such a wonderful principal and we wanted it to be a memorable occasion."

Ms Maxwell's leadership and inspiration has played a major role in turning around the college which was failing when she arrived in 2002 to one ranked as 'outstanding' in every field — one of only a few further education colleges in the country to achieve the accolade.

Ms Maxwell was last year awarded an OBE for services to education.

She hands over the reins to new principal Stephen Criddle.

Mr Criddle has been honoured for his handling of the college's move from Torre to the new campus at Vantage Point.