THE first students who will take up their places at a new sixth form centre in Rossendale saw first-hand how the building is taking shape.

GCSE pupils from Alder Grange Community and Technology School, in Raw-tenstall, visited Crawshawbooth-based James Killelea for a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the new £8 million structure.

The contractor is creating the foundations for the new sixth form centre in Calder Road, Rawtenstall, and invited students along to see the steel framework.

Head of school, David Hampson, who supervised the visit, said: “The visit was a great chance for them to gain an insight and understanding into the processes behind the construction of the new building.

“Killeleas are a very busy firm so we are pleased that the steel is being made locally, and by a company that has such an excellent reputation.

"The students were fascinated by the tour and the fact that the steel being worked on was ‘theirs’ made it all the more real.

“When the steel arrives on site and is erected then the building will really start to take shape.”

He said the sixth form would accommodate 45 students from Alder Grange and between five and 10 from other schools this year.

It will then cater for more than 300 students from September 2011.

The centre, which is due to open in September, will boast science laboratories, a media studio, performance space and a catering kitchen.

It will also have a nursery and creche facilities for child development students, ICT and library facilities.

Bob Killelea, managing director of James Killelea, said: “We are really pleased to be working with Alder Grange on the new sixth form.

“It was great to see the level of interest the students took in what they were told and shown,” he added.