A SIXTH-form centre offering modern facilities for students has opened following a £1m expansion.

Derwentside College's Lanchester Sixth-Form Centre offers a range of A-level courses.

The centre has been extended to include an enhanced sports area, an external relaxing area, additional classrooms with modern presentation facilities and an enlarged, purpose-built Learning Resource Centre (LRC).

As well as a traditional library service, the new LRC also includes a relaxation area and quiet study area, with a variety of IT resources.

Students can relax in the social area or listen to music in the conservatory. There's also a recreational sports area, which has recently been enhanced, for students interested in football, basketball, netball or tennis.

Principal and chief executive David Houpt said: "Since the centre's opening in 1999, it has gone from strength-to-strength with numbers of applicants rising year on year.

"This year's applications are at an all-time high, which reflects the centre's growing reputation and recent academic performances.

"My staff and I have eagerly awaited the re-opening of the extended facility, which will provide an even more exceptional learning environment for our students.

"I am convinced that our newly-extended centre will enhance our achievements still further."

In 2004, the centre had a 96 per cent pass rate at A-Level, with 16 out of 20 subjects achieving a 100 per cent pass rate