A NORTH Yorkshire college has taken a step into the future with the completion of a £1m expansion programme.

For the past 15 months an intensive programme of building work has been under way at Northallerton College.

The project has given the college 21st Century teaching and learning facilities for its growing population of 1,000 full-time and 2,000 part-time students.

The classroom block will be opened early next month by Tyne Tees TV personality Andy Kluz.

The block comprises eight classrooms, and was designed by local architects Michael Severs Associates in collaboration with the college's staff.

The college's vice-principal, John Kelly, was in charge of the scheme and he described the block as an exciting place to work and study.

"It will help us keep pace with the growth of a successful college," he said.

The extension is dedicated mainly to teaching mathematics and has been designed in such a way that it is integrated into a wing of the college - which has also seen the refurbishment of a science laboratory and a multi-media computer suite.

The work was funded jointly by North Yorkshire County Council and the college and was the final phase of a bigger scheme.

In the earlier phase of the project, the college's resource centre was remodelled and expanded to provide an extra 60 work and study stations.

A new reception area was also built, as well as accommodation for the administration and staff.

The college's principal, Jennifer Slater, said yesterday: "This two-phase scheme has been another step forward in creating a progressive learning environment worthy of our technology college status and of the community we serve."

Two old classrooms had to be demolished to make way for the block, which is at the north end of the campus, almost opposite the Tesco store on East Road.