A multi-million pound centre which is set to make Blackburn a centre of learning excellence for the North West has been opened.

Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu officially opened Blackburn College's new St Paul's Centre today, in a ceremony attended by all sections of the community.

They included Blackburn MP and college governor Jack Straw, the Mayor and Mayoress of Blackburn, the leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, and pupils from Darwen Vale and St Bede's High Schools.

The four-storey, £8.7million centre will house the college's sixth form and IT department, and is the first phase of the college's £74million masterplan to be a world-class campus.

In his address, Dr Sentamu congratulated the college's record A level results this year - a 99.1per cent pass rate - and described the new building as representing "the hopes and achievements of many people".

After he had unveiled a commemorative plaque, he was joined by the school students in sealing a time capsule containing items including photos of current high schools, recent music and items reflecting life at Blackburn College.

The Archbishop donated a cross made in Bethlehem, to symbolise hope, and two medallions made by Josiah Wedgwood as a symbol for the abolition of the trans-atlantic slave trade.

Dr Sentamu said: "May it remind us of our common humanity and that there is only one race - the human race - made up of many and diverse ethnic groups."

Chairman of governors Rev Michael Wedgeworth also welcomed the building itself as a "symbol of what we hope for the future".

"Through the contribution this centre will make to the community, and community cohesion, the centre will change lives," he said.

Principal Ian Clinton: "We want this building to be more about people than it is about the building.

"Prejudice exists at all levels, and that needs to be changed by all of us.

"We recognise that social justice and cohesion is at the heart of this college's mission."

Mr Straw added: "Everyone regardless of their heritage or faith can share in the success of the borough and vision for the future.

"This college is the symbol of the change in the borough in the past decades.

"As governor for the last 17 years, I'm proud to be part of such change."