Work has begun on a £2.3 million project to build five new science labs in a Wiltshire college.

The major development at Marlborough College will see the construction of five science labs alongside a physics preparation room and the widening of the building’s main corridor.

Beard Construction, the company responsible for carrying out the work, have begun the structural demolition of the brickwork as well as stripping back the existing concrete frame and removing windows, roof coverings and furnishings.

The entire area will then be re-roofed, while the thickness of the walls will also be increased.

The most disruptive construction works have been scheduled for school holiday periods although much of the building work will be carried out while pupils use the remainder of the science building.

Andrew Hart, bursar at Marlborough College, said: “Our key objective is to provide our pupils with the teaching, infrastructure and environment necessary to make their mark on Science and Technology.

“We are delighted to see work has begun on the next phase of this comprehensive project and to be once again working alongside Beard who understand and share our ethos.”

The project follows on from the first phase of the development, during which seven teaching labs and a biology preparation room were built.