PERSHORE'S horticultural college is to be transformed after it was announced its bid for millions of pounds worth of funding was successful.

The college, part of Warwickshire College, announced the news that it had been granted the money from the Skills Funding Agency to undertake the work last week.

Planning permission for the state-of-the-art development was granted last month by Wychavon District Council, as reported in the Journal, allowing work to start immediately on site.

The £5.8m scheme will see the college revamped with the key change being the addition of a contemporary new glass building which will house a new science and technology centre, a new collections house, new teaching rooms and project spaces and extensive research and development facilities.

The new building, which will replace old and now unused facilities, will also provide a stunning new reception area for the college and a viewing gallery over the collections house below.

Tamsin Jones, acting principal, said: "This is amazing news for the college, our students and our local community.

"This stunning new development will ensure we remain at the forefront of the horticulture industry and allow us to develop a centre of excellence in food production. It will allow our students to learn using leading edge facilities, in collaboration with employers and partners, using the latest technology, providing them with a competitive advantage as they both start and then journey throughout their career."

The new developments should be complete by September 2015 and current college activities and facilities for students will be unaffected during the works.