BAM Construction in the North East has been awarded a £20 million contract to build new facilities for Newcastle College.

The company – which has offices in Gateshead - will transform the college's sixth form centre into a contemporary, 12,100 square-metre high specification learning facility that will enhance the existing campus at Rye Hill.

Facilities in the new building will include science laboratories, lecture theatre, IT suites and fine arts. External works will also be undertaken to complement that area. The project is due to start on site on 22 August and last for 20 months.

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Construction Director Andrew Warwick said BAM intends to use as many local suppliers as possible on the college job and is in talks with bosses at the nearby National Construction Academy over plans to create "as many work experience places as practical" on the scheme and using apprentices.

The firm is also looking at bringing a charity scheme – which saw more than £1,000 donated by suppliers on the university job to Barnado's – to the college project.

Mr Warwick said: "Our approach is always to try to bring local economic and social benefits through our work. At Newcastle University where we're currently building the Union Building we have placed more than 25 orders with local firms, from £1,000 to £100,000 each, covering trades such as stone masonry and brickwork.

"We certainly intend to use as many local firms as possible on Newcastle College, and are talking to the academy about using as many apprentices as we can."

BAM has also just handed over the £25 million Institute of Transplantation at Freeman Hospital as the City of Newcastle bids for the right to continue delivering children's transplants, under competition from Leeds.

(CD)