13299/3GAZETTE & HERALD: A Vocational learning centre which teaches teenagers motoring, catering and construction, has been officially opened at Springfield School, Calne.

Students aged 14 to 16 from Springfield and other schools in the Calne and Chippenham area can study vocational subjects such as motor vehicle servicing and repair, construction and catering at the school.

The money has come from the Learning and Skills Council Wiltshire and Swindon, which had £300,000 to enhance vocational learning, to increase attendance and encourage progression to college or further training.

Springfield School used the money to nearly double the size of the motor vehicle workshop and to build a new state of the art kitchen with a 40-seat restaurant.

The centre was opened last week by the chief executive of the Institute of the Motor Industry, Sarah Spillars.

Headteacher Graham Templeman, who helped build the centre with his own hands, said: "It is a great facility and has helped to turn a number of pupils around."