PLANS were unveiled yesterday for a £19m fame academy in the North-East that will be the biggest in the UK.
Newcastle College is to build the further education centre for music, performance and media, at its Rye Hill campus.
The complex will cater for about 1,200 students and 50 staff and includes a 250-seat theatre, music venue, dance and recording studios and media production facilities.
Vee Wilkinson, director of the school of music and performing arts, said: "We are bringing together our provision on one site, that is currently on four sites.
"It will be an enormous creative hub for Tyneside."
Former students who have gone on to achieve national fame include Michelle Heaton of chart-topping band Liberty X.
The college hopes the academy will aid Newcastle Gateshead's bid for the European Capital of Culture title.
Peter Slee, vice-principal, said: "Culture and the arts have never been higher on the regional agenda and our vision is to create a venue which our students, staff, the city and the region deserve.
"This building will be the first of its kind in the country to bring such a wide range of facilities under one roof and is an excellent way to mark the start of the campus redevelopment project."
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