THE first phase of a £1.25m scheme at West Somerset Community College was due to be officially opened as the Free Press went to print yesterday.

The college's new £340,000 purpose-built information and communication technology (ICT) building was due to be declared open at a special ceremony attended by staff, students, governors and invited guests.

College governor and managing director of the Singer Instruments Company Limited, Carl Saunders-Singer, was called on to perform the official opening ceremony.

Previously, visitors were given the chance to take a look around the new building, which included three teaching rooms, a technicians' resource area and an office and circulation space.

The rooms were kitted-out with 60 computers which would give students and staff access to both the internet and the college's curriculum network.

Headteacher Nick Swann said: "The state-of-the-art project will enable college staff to work with students to stretch further their knowledge and skills.

"It will promote the use of ICT as an important learning tool across the whole curriculum, for the benefit of all our students."

The ICT project was financed through the Government's New Deals for Schools scheme, together with cash from Somerset County Council and West Somerset District Council.

The remaining money will be spent refurbishing and refitting nine science labs and building two brand new labs at the college.