A FORMER electricity board warehouse has been transformed into a centre for learning

Northumbria University, based in Newcastle, has transformed the warehouse, which belonged to the North Eastern Electricity Board, into a £1.6m learning suite.

Based in the university's Pandon Building, the suite will be officially opened by Northumbria's vice chancellor, Professor Kel Fidler, on Tuesday.

The refurbishment includes six computing labs, facilities for video conferencing, study areas and seminar rooms.

The design features glass walls, intelligent lighting and under-floor wiring.

Students of information studies, computing and maths will mainly use the suite.

The bulk of the money for the refurbishment of the building has come from the Higher Education Funding Council for England, which allocated funds through its Poor Estates project.

Colin Creasy, associate dean for student affairs in the School of Informatics, said: "This major investment is the start of a new era for this building.

"This refurbishment demonstrates significant commitment to our students in providing them with the best possible facilities."

The Schools of Engineering and Technology and Built Environment are also housed in the building.