A new £6.5m university centre for west Norfolk and the Fens has been officially opened, almost 10 years after College of West Anglia principal David Pomfret started the ball rolling.

Based at the King's Lynn campus, the 2,000 sq m building houses full and part-time higher level education and training, has 14 digital classrooms, a 120-seat multimedia lecture theatre, offices, a board room and a large ground-floor social area for students' use.

Mr Pomfret said: 'I've been principal almost 10 years, and in my first year I started conversations to create this facility.

'It will enable students to stay close to the homes, but go far in their career prospects, as we can now offer a considerably greater range of degree level courses.

'This is the jewel in the crown of the college and we aim to increase our higher education students by about 300 in the next three years.'

Student Charlie Walton, 21, from Lynn, who is studying computer sciences, said: 'It's a big improvement. The CWA was previously behind on degree facilities, but this brings it up onto a level playing field.'

Alistair Beales, West Norfolk Council's cabinet member for regeneration and industrial assets, said: 'Businesses frequently tell us how difficult it is to recruit people in the top end of the job market. Having a facility like this will make it possible for people to do the training they need in order to take advantage of local business opportunities.'

The university centre will deliver higher education programmes accredited by Anglia Ruskin University, across a range of areas including business management, science and technology. Funding for the centre was secured by New Anglia LEP.

How are you improving job prospects for students? Email david.bale2@archant.co.uk