WORK is due to start on the design of a 1,000-place college which should be ready to welcome its first pupils in September 2006.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has appointed Aedas Architects, of Huddersfield, to lead the design team for the Freebrough Community College, in Brotton.

Work on the project is scheduled to start in September. The site will be cleared before building starts in March next year.

The council's cabinet member for education, Councillor Steve Kay, said: "Their brief is to design the new premises, deal with the planning process and work with the project team and stakeholders.

"It means working within a very tight timescale, but the project is on track to meet the target completion date.

"We are looking forward to viewing concept designs, which should be available for viewing by mid-September."

In a joint statement, Freebrough principal Diane Edwards and chairman of governors Kate Cook, said: "We are very excited to be making the next step towards our vision of a single, state-of-the-art college for east Cleveland. We believe that Aedas can deliver a building offering facilities for high quality learning for the people of our community."

David Holmes, Aedas's associate director, said: "The new school site is in a very inspiring setting, overlooking the North York Moors and the North Sea and we are looking forward to the challenge of designing a school that will complement such a beautiful environment."

Concern had been raised by the community at Skelton over the possible sale of Freebrough's Skelton school site to developers, which would mean the loss of a youth centre, virtual learning centre and sports hall.

Des Mowbray, of Skelton Community Forum, said: "It looks likely that we have won the argument to save the youth centre and the sports hall.

"We have lodged our objection to the demolition of the virtual learning centre, which cost about £250,000 to build a few years ago, as they are still planning to pull the building down as part of the scheme.