HUNDREDS of teenage students will be using the very latest IT equipment in Halton's £8m Runcorn Campus.

The first sod of the two wing riverside development at the Bridgewater site was dug last week - exactly a year before it is due to open.

Halton College and Widnes & Runcorn Sixth Form College have teamed up in a unique partnership to offer post 16-year-olds, state of the art education.

For the first time ever, students will be able to pick and mix' from a huge range of academic or vocational subjects.

Both colleges will share a cybercafe, library, refectory and the very latest computer, sports and recreational facilities.

Ian Clinton, principal of Halton College, said: "Students will all be integrated. The two institutions are working together to offer more options.

"Students will have three options, totally academic at the Sixth Form College, totally vocational at Halton College or a mixture of the two.

"Because we are not tied by uniforms and other issues like schools, it will give 16-year-olds a fresh start. We have flexibility and freedom when it comes to extra curricular activities."

Paul Grainger, principal of Widnes & Runcorn Sixth Form College, said: "We will be two wings of one development. We have come to a very amicable agreement to provide different services to local students.

"We are about academic education, helping people to get to university. Halton College is work-based and vocational.

"It will be very vibrant. All students will have access to all the campus."

Professor Dick Snoot, chancellor of academic development of UMIST was invited to cut the first sod of turf.

Mr Grainger explained: "The universities are very keen on this development. We are hoping to encourage more people to go to university."