A dad has said his wife would have been delighted to see a centre dedicated to her memory re-opened months after it was wrecked by fire.

The Herlingshaw Suite was originally opened in 2006 at St Peter’s RC School, South Bank, Middlesbrough, in memory of mum Jacqui Herlingshaw who died of cancer aged 45 in 2005.

But last September it was destroyed in an arson attack.

Jacqui helped raise £8,000 for the school to secure specialist status in maths and computing, but did not live to see it achieved.

School staff decided to name the special needs unit the Herlingshaw Suite in her memory and it was opened by her husband Robert. Two years later Robert re-opened the newly rebuilt suite with their children Jenna, 20, Robert, 13, and Katie, 15. Daughter Sonia, 21, was on holiday in Tenerife.

Robert, 54, of Teesville, said it was devastating when he heard about the arson. “I felt really sorry for the school. Jacqui would have loved to have seen it now.”

Robert said he and Jenna had been to the crematorium to lay flowers for Jacqui and he was going to tell her about the suite re-opening. But he added: “I think she would already have known about it. She’d have been proud and I’m proud to be here today with my family.”

Jenna said: “It’s nice to have something to keep up Jacqui’s legacy. She was all about education and it’s been a horrible thing that’s happened. But it’s been improved and she would have been proud.”

Jenna said the children had inherited their mum’s outlook on life. Jenna moved to Manchester where she works as an events manager with star names, Sonia’s band Pure Elements has made it through to the bootcamp round of X-Factor and Robert and Katie are doing well at St Peter’s. Jenna said: “Her positivity got her through and that lives within us.”

While work was carried out, the school moved its special needs unit to its Wilf Mannion internet cafe.

Headteacher Gavin Salvesen-Sawh said: “It was very difficult for staff. They had no resources but the staff were brilliant as were the children.

“The building work was extensive. We also wanted to extend the Herlingshaw Suite and that work went on concurrently. We were devastated by what had happened but we are delighted Robert and his family have been able to re-open it.”

A 14 year old boy was given a 12 month referral order at Teesside Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to arson and burglary. A second boy admitted being part of a burglary.