A NEW multi-million-pound expansion of Blackburn College’s University Centre is set to create places for an extra 600 degree students.

Bosses hope work on the £7million extension to the centre off Barbara Castle Way will begin later this year and open in September 2012.

It will focus on degree courses in sciences, technology, engineering and mathematics and bring the total number of degree level students to almost 4,000.

Prinicipal Ian Clinton described the move as ‘terrific’ while other leading figures said it would be ‘brilliant’ and provide a ‘boost’ for the town.

It is particularly hoped the type of courses provided will tackle the ‘brain drain’ of talented youngsters from the area, who choose to study away from home and then never return to East Lancashire.

Mr Clinton said funding had been secured via a £13million loan, which was also being used to pay for the college’s new Beacon Centre, between St Paul Street and Nab Lane.

The five storey Beacon Centre is aimed at further education students and will provide classroom and exhibition space as well as a library and resource centre.

The college is putting together a planning application for the University Centre extension which will be submitted to Blackburn with Darwen Council in the summer.

It is set to be around half the size of the current building and would be built on land being used as storage space for the builders of the Primary Care Trust building.

Chairman of governors Sir Bill Taylor said: “It is good news and as most of the big universities may be asking for £9,000 a year tuition fees perhaps more people will be looking to stay closer to home where they won’t be charged top whack.

“We are putting a lot of money into this. Students learn better in the best environment.

“Our university building is almost full to capacity and we are looking to expand it with a manufacturing and engineering twist.

“It is a very rosy picture for us and I can’t wait for it to open.”

Mr Clinton described the extension as a further step towards the college’s ambitions to create an independent university for the town within the next decade.

The college, which offers degrees validated by Lancaster University, the University of Central Lancashire and others, is also taking steps to validate its own courses.

Mr Clinton said: “The governors have taken the initial decision that they would like the college to expand the university centre.

“We own the land and plan to create a £7million extension that will focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. We are hoping to start work in October.

“There is a demand. Student applications to the university centre are up and we will work with industry to create the qualifications they want.”

He said the centre was particularly keen to work closely with local employers, such as aerospace giant BAE Systems, to create skilled workers.

Blackburn MP Jack Straw, who is also a member of the governing body, said: “It is terrific the way the university centre has taken off and is a very great tribute to staff at the college.

“It is one of the best run in the country.

“It really is good news at a time of grim news for the country.”

The university centre also plans to work closely with schools to show pupils the higher education level qualifications that are available in the town.

Maureen Bateson, executive member for children’s services at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, said: “I think it is brilliant.

"For a lot of young people the cost of going to university might become prohibitive because of the cost of living and the costs of fees.

“Therefore getting a degree on their doorstep is fantastic.

“The council has had to make difficult decisions and this would be a boost for the area.

"More students at the university centre would also provide a boost for the town.”