Blue plaque for Sir John Jarvis' help during Jarrow's 'dark days'

Sir John Jarvis was made a Freeman of Jarrow in 1935 in recognition of his contribution

A London-born philanthropist who helped a Tyneside town during the 1930s Great Depression is being honoured with a blue plaque.

Sir John Jarvis founded the Surrey Fund, which helped generate jobs in Jarrow and created the town's Monkton Stadium and Monkton Dene Park.

It saw about £40,000 invested.

South Tyneside Council deputy leader Audrey Huntley said the plaque acknowledged the "significant impact he had" during the area's "dark days".

In 1936, a group of 200 men walked almost 300 miles from Jarrow to London to highlight poverty caused in the town following the closure of its shipyard, which had employed 10,000 people.

At the time Sir John was a wealthy economist and businessman who became High Sheriff of Surrey and a Conservative MP.

The Surrey Fund, worth an estimated £4m today, helped regenerate the area.

'Generous and caring man'

It led to Jarrow Tube Works being developed along with other businesses, with jobs generated and scrap provided for the new steelworks.

Two ocean liners were also brought to be broken up in town on the banks of the River Tyne.

Ms Huntley said Sir John was "such a generous and caring man who wanted to help the people of Jarrow after witnessing the great economic hardship and poverty they were experiencing".

"Sir John developed a very special connection with the town during those dark days," she added.

"He dedicated his time, energy and expense creating a plan that would generate jobs, regenerate the area and revive the town which had been so badly hit."

The town's stadium was refurbished and the nearby Jarvis Park, now known as Monkton Dene Park, was landscaped.

Sporting youth leagues were set up and Sir John became the first president of Jarrow and Hebburn Athletic Club, which he donated the Jarvis Cup to.

The Jarvis Cup is displayed in Jarrow Town Hall

The plaque on York Avenue close to Monkton Dene Park was funded by the Jarvis family and Jarrow and Hebburn Athletic Club.

Local historian Tom Tweddell, who supported the nomination, said: "The gift of all that time and money shows his genuineness of spirit.

"It is that voluntary generosity that creates his enduring legacy and gives it its real value."