Barking and Dagenham College has been awarded £1.1million in government funding to refurbish its campus.

The news comes after the college applied for funding through the new College Capital Investment Fund (CCIF) scheme, set up to support colleges across the UK.

The funding will be added to the college’s own investment of £2.3m, to revamp areas of the 20 acre site in Dagenham Road, Rush Green.

Wijay Pitumpe, vice principal at Barking and Dagenham College, said: “We are already significantly investing in the amenities the College offers its students.

“This new government funding will help further boost these improvements, and will allow us to continue in our commitment to provide the best possible facilities and learning environment for the community we serve.”

Skills minister Matthew Hancock added: “The government is helping to create specialist facilities that will ensure thousands of students get the best possible learning experience and inspire them to reach their potential, while addressing local skills shortages.”