COLCHESTER Institute is to get a long overdue overhaul after landing nearly £3 million from the government.

The Sheepen Road campus will benefit from a new reception, lobby and conference centre along with a new block featuring eight IT suites.

The funding is the first since the Learning and Skills Council scrapped its £85 million building plans mid-project in 2009.

Gary Horne, the college’s director of finance and operations, said the work would form the first stage of a three-part upgrade plan.

He said: “We are thrilled to see this project get off the ground."

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