A multi-million pound mission to improve access to higher education facilities and degree courses in west Norfolk and the Fens has taken a major step forward, it will be revealed today.

Construction work has already begun on the new £6.5m university centre at the College of West Anglia campus in King's Lynn, set to open in September 2016.

In partnership with Anglia Ruskin University, it will offer up to 500 students studies in a range of areas including business, management, science, technology and engineering.

It will aim to offer 'a high quality teaching and learning facility' in an area where further education participation is lacking.

Mark Pendlington, is the chairman of New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership which secured the full £6.5 million funding for the University Centre West Anglia building.

He said: 'A skilled dynamic workforce is crucial if we are to compete on a UK and global stage and become the economic powerhouse we know we can be.

'This new centre means hundreds of youngsters across the region will be trained in vital subjects such as science, technology and engineering – skills we know businesses in Norfolk and Suffolk are crying out for.'

He will be in King's Lynn today to look at how the building is progressing.

David Pomfret, principal and chief executive of the College of West Anglia, said: 'It is fantastic that we will now be able to offer a broader range of higher level courses at the College of West Anglia.

'I am confident that, with the support of our joint venture partners Anglia Ruskin University, this will enable us to provide a high quality teaching and learning facility for those wishing to progress into higher education in the local area.'

Later this week, the college's new-look buildings for its Wisbech campus will also be officially opened.

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