A MAJOR £1.3 million redevelopment was yesterday launched at Nelson and Colne College at a turf-cutting ceremony.

Most of the cash will be used to build a new training centre at the college's main Nelson site.

Small and medium sized firms in the area will be able to send workers to the centre for training on a range of courses, including computing and business studies.

The centre will also provide extra facilities for students, such as a new common room and replacements for the ageing portable classrooms. Other money will be used to redevelop the main building and create extra space for study as well as an improved refectory.

The training centre is due to be completed by the end of the financial year in April.

Contractors will then turn their attentions to work in the main building.

Staff, councillors and business people gathered on the site of the centre to watch Denis Mendoros, chairman of the Pendle Partnership consortium of private and public groups, cut the first turf to herald the start of building work.

He told his audience: "The college is going from strength to strength. We were delighted that the Partnership was able to assist in a small way in this project.

"The centre will not only support but create new industry. I want to congratulate the college on having such a forward-looking view."

The work is the third major development at the college in the past four years.

"This is an exciting development which means the college will have much-needed improvements to facilities and accommodation," said principal Kath Belton.

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