SUCCESS of the students and staff at Runshaw College is paying off.

The latest news from the college, which has just reported record pass rates, is that it is to have a new, three-storey building to enable students to enjoy even more facilities.

The new unit, the Eskdale Building, will house a state-of-the-art computer centre with top of the range equipment on the first floor.

The ground floor will be dedicated to performing arts, music and media studies, and the top floor will provide classrooms.

Work on the development is due to start later this month with a completion date proposed for September 1997 at the latest.

In total it will cost £3.85 million which has come from a number of sources including central government and the Further Education Funding Council.

Principal Bernard O'Connell said: "We are very proud at Runshaw to be able to offer these new facilities to our students and we feel it's just reward for the hard work and commitment of staff and students in the past."

Three months ago the college was given a first-class report by Ofsted officers who praised the courses available, and the commitment of staff.

College spokesman Jim Smith said the Eskdale Building would enable the college to offer new vocational courses in performing arts and media; which is what local high school children have been asking for.

ZThe Eskdale Building will go behind the restaurant on the present sports ground. A hockey and an all-weather pitch are to be built behind it.

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