IN response to the letter from "Concerned Parent" (September 26) I should like to make the following points about the quality of accommodation at the Woodbury centre of Bury college.

It is the college's intention to bring all of its accommodation up to the highest possible standard and to aim for parity of facilities for all students. To that end, the Woodbury centre had a £3 million refurbishment during 1996/7 and, over this summer, another £700,000 has been spent on refurbishment.

Unlike a new building we must carry out works during down time, that is when students are not in the college. Our work at the Woodbury centre was delayed and complicated by the unfortunate flood which took place in July and which was reported in the Bury Times. However, the building was ready to receive students on courses during the week beginning September 18.

For the information of "Concerned Parent" members of the management team of the college are based on both college centres, and also at the Peel centre, where I am based, which has not had the major investment of resources evident at either the Woodbury or Millennium centres.

We plan to continue our programme of upgrading facilities at the Woodbury centre over several years. I would be delighted to discuss our plans with "Concerned Parent" and to show him, or her, around the Woodbury centre.

DR HELEN GILCHRIST, principal.