THE bill for storm damage at the Eagle Street centre of Accrington and Rossendale College could hit £200,000.

Around 1,000 students have been told not to come in as contractors carry out major roof repairs and dry out equipment.

Gales on Christmas Eve ripped off a large section of the roof, and there was substantial water damage inside the building where the majority of the technology and construction division is based.

Letters were sent to day release, night class and full-time students advising them not to go in on the first day of term on Monday.

College vice-principal Angela Bailey assured students they will not lose out and arrangements are being made for lost time to be made up on their return.

Repair work is expected to take at least the rest of this week.

She said: "There is nothing that is not repairable or just needs drying out.

"Contractors have been working every day except New Year's Day.

"It is a huge project but we are hopeful we will be fully operational fairly soon."

The college will write to students individually to update them on when the building is to re-open.

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