Legendary film director Ken Russell will be leaving his handprints and autograph in concrete on the riverside site of the new City Centre Campus of the University of Wales in Newport to mark the start of the construction phase of the £35 million project.

The acclaimed director of films such as 'Women In Love' and 'Tommy' will be immortalised in concrete similar to the famous Hollywood forecourt of the Stars at Mann's Chinese Theatre during the ceremony, which takes place on the banks of the River Usk on June 30.

The news campus will be home to two academic schools with international reputations - the Newport Business School and the digital media, film and design elements of Newport School of Art, Media and Design.

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During a visit to present the award for the best film made by students on the Film and Video degree course last week, Ken, a Visiting Professor at the University's International Film School Wales (IFSW), said: "I think the City Centre Campus is a brilliant idea - and the sooner it's completed and producing tomorrow's filmmakers, artists and entrepreneurs the better!"

He added: "I'm looking forward to the ceremony and leaving my handprints in the cement. I built my own house so I know all about working with cement."

The £35 million campus will be the first phase of an intended two-phase £50 million development for the University with partnership funding from Newport City Council and the Welsh Assembly Government. The University's new campus will help to transform the city centre and create a magnet for cultural activity along the riverfront and a centre for enterprise.

Further information is available at: www.newport.ac.uk.

(KMcA/JM)