The thriving college has been given the green light to take over unused parts of Sutton Leisure Centre for educational purposes when it is vacated by Ashfield District Council later this year.

Nottinghamshire County Council has approved the expansion plans, which means the school can now occupy part of the ageing facility like the sports hall, theatre, bowls hall, and fitness suite to allow it to expand its current curriculum and provide a greater range of post-16 vocational qualifications.

It also plans to convert the existing bowls hall into a new North Ashfield Vocational Centre to deliver training in a range of industries such as bricklaying, carpentry, painting and decorating and hair and beauty.

College bosses have already secured funding from the county council and the Learning and Skills Council for the venture and are currently assessing additional funding avenues.

Headteacher Roger Tanner told Chad the decision meant the school could now offer much more to the local community.

"We are delighted with this decision and for the support we are receiving from Nottinghamshire County Council," he said. "We are achieving great results and the council know that we can deliver given the right support.

"This now means we can use vacated areas of the leisure centre to provide much more for the pupils and wider community. The new vocational centre will also enhance skills and opportunities.

"We are now planning for the future. We have received some funding and are now looking to get further partner organisations on board."

The move has also been backed by Co Coun Steve Carroll, cabinet member for culture and regeneration and Sutton East ward member.

"This will be a great step forward for Sutton Centre and I am glad that the council has supported it," he said. "This allows the school to build on its vision and to put together an excellent business plan to take it up to the next level.

"There is a skills shortage in the area which would be addressed by the creation of a new vocational centre. It will allow us to attract good jobs to the area and give the pupils much more opportunities than they may otherwise have had."