WORK HAS started on Swindon College's £15 million new building at North Star.

The building will wrap around the college's existing North Star building and bring its capacity up to 2,500 full time students and 9,000 part time.

Builders have begun by demolishing the unused sports hall next to the college in an area that will become the new main entrance.

Plans have already been announced to sell the college's Regent Circus site to developers who want to build shops, homes and offices.

Students are set to move into the new building in September next year, with construction work due to start in May.

Swindon College's estates director Nigel Wichall said: "This is a big step and we are getting close to seeing the project really get under way. It is an exciting time for us."