STUDENTS have given a huge thumbs-up to news that Huddersfield is to get a new college.

Hundreds of prospective students queued up yesterday to enrol at Kirklees College for the new term.

And most were delighted with news that the Learning and Skills Council has agreed to fund a gleaming new £85m campus.

College bosses got the news of the £85m funding boost on Tuesday from The Learning and Skills Council.

It came as a huge relief after reports earlier this year that the LSC had run into huge problems with financing college schemes across the UK.

The new state-of-the-art building was given the go-ahead as part of the Waterfront scheme off Chapel Hill.

The building is expected to be finished by 2012 when the college will move from its current New North Road site.

It is thought the campus will be able to accept some 20,000 students.

Every student the Examiner spoke to welcomed the college revamp and the new facilities it would bring.

Chris Sadler, Principal of the college, said: “For students it means better facilities, better accommodation, more opportunities.

“There will be brand new facilities associated with students support in terms of learning resources and better classroom space, but also better social space for students , exercise areas, dance space, new restaurants, hairdressing – a whole range of things.”

EMMA PANTON, 20, Halifax

“I think the new building on the waterfront will be good for the town.

“It sounds like a good idea to build a new building with fresh facilities and more space for students.”

JENNA WHYTE, 17, Waterloo

“I’m in my second year of beauty therapy and I think it’s a great idea.

“It would be nice to have somewhere bigger and better to sit at lunchtimes in the new college – like a cafe.”

OLIVER TAYLOR, 19, Birkby

“The college is getting old and so are the facilities so a new building at the waterfront would be a good idea.

“I’d like a place where students can hang out at lunchtimes and between lessons.

DANIEL GAUDIN, head of the student union, Brighouse

“It’s a really positive move for the college.

“We already have great facilities but it gives us the chance to really think about what our students have asked for. It’s also positive for the town and waterfront area.”

JAHANGIR HUSSAIN, 19, Thornton Lodge

“The college is getting a bit old now.

“Other colleges have got gyms and snooker tables so hopefully we’ll get more facilities like that which we can enjoy out of lesson time.”

AIDAN ELLIS, 19, Hartshead

“There’s always people coming to check if rooms are available .

“The new building will provide us with more space, and will allow the college to accept more students.

“Students have voted to keep the current theatre building because we’ve got one of the best college theatres around.”