Work is underway on a new £24 million library for the University of Roehampton, it has been announced.

Contractor Osborne will develop the four-storey facility in the centre of Digby Stuart College in south west London.

The project is part of the University's redevelopment programme for the 60-acre campus.

A ground-breaking ceremony marking the start of construction was held this week.

Features of the new building include around 1,060 study spaces along with group study areas in the ground floor.

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Silent study areas will be developed on the fourth floor and additional shelf space will be provided to meet student book demands.

Public computers, plug and USB charger sockets will also be provided.

Dr Ghazwa Alwani-Starr, Director of Estates and Campus Services at the University, said: "We're pleased to see work getting under way on the site and working with Osborne we're looking forward to watching it rise up in the centre of our campus during the next 18 months."

Chris Hickman, Osborne Senior Project Manager, added: "After many months in the design and planning stages, it's fantastic to be making those first physical steps towards delivering, what will become, a library that will benefit so many in the years to come."

The project is due to completed in autumn 2017.

In addition, Osborne is building a new £14m student accommodation block on the site, due to be completed later this year.

(LM/MH)