WORK has started on a £3m extension which is set to double student numbers at a Teesside sixth form.

Demand for places at MC6, the purpose-built Sixth Form Centre at Middlesbrough College, has increased 33 per cent in the last year.

The extension will help increase the college’s offer of A Levels and allow a further 500 students to take up places.

Zoe Lewis, Principal and Chief Executive, said: “This new build means the College can increase the number of A Levels on offer, accommodate more students at MC6 and the Sports Academies and further boost the already fantastic facilities on offer at Middlesbrough College.”

The work is being carried out by North-East design and build specialists, Surgo Construction and the project is due for completion in August 2014.

The extension at MC6 is part of a £20m investment at Middlesbrough College which also includes:

*the creation of a £12m centre, due to open in 2015, providing training in advanced manufacturing, process, engineering disciplines, digital, warehousing and logistics. This will enable the College to enrol more full-time students, retrain unemployed, increase apprenticeships and traineeships

• A £3.5m investment in the main College building to recover void spaces which will accommodate the rapid demand for Engineering, Health and Social Care.

• A £1.5m eco house and community garden to promote low carbon living and a new student drop off area Find out more about Middlesbrough College at www.mbro.ac.uk