BOSSES at Accrington and Rossendale College have announced exciting £9M plans to build two state-of-the-art teaching blocks.

Hyndburn Council's Planning Committee has given the go-ahead to the project, which will involve demolishing three buildings at the Sandy Lane site.

Meanwhile, the two remaining teaching blocks will be extended to create a new creative arts block which will include a theatre, recording studios and hairdressing and beauty salons as well as a learning resource centre and specialist classrooms.

College principal Nancy Cookson said: "This is the most exciting and expensive project the college has ever undertaken.

"We want to provide the best possible environment for students and one which will inspire more people to go into learning.

"This is a very exciting application which will provide a positive new identity for the college to take us forward into the coming years."

The building work is set to be completed by 2007, with the cash being partly provided by the Learning and Skills Council.

Mrs Cookson went on: "Within the new campus, there will be areas predominately used by adults and others which will have more of a Sixth Form feel to them.

"We are delighted that our 16-to-18-year-old student numbers have risen dramatically this year and this redevelopment will enable us to cater for many more young people in the future."

Councillor David Myles, who is currently studying for a degree in applied social sciences at the college, said: "I get a fantastic amount of support from the college and the teaching is second-to-none.

"If this enables more young people to have access to its facilities, then I welcome it."