THE town’s first University Technical College will open its doors to students in September 2016 after receiving backing from ministers.

The future of the multi-million pound specialist college had been in doubt after the University of Chester pulled its sponsorship in February.

But after Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) stepped in earlier this month, parliamentary under-secretary Lord Nash gave his approval to the detailed plans and in signing the funding agreement, the minister gave the go ahead for the college to open next year.

Chairman of the University Technical College Warrington project board Aidan McManus, from Tenet Consultants, said: “The minister was convinced that we had the right plans and the right team in place and this is a huge vote of confidence in the project.

"Right now we are focused on identifying a principal who will inspire young people considering a career in engineering and lead the recruitment of the first tranche of students to the college ready for opening in September 2016."

The college, which will form part of the Stadium Quarter in the town centre, will specialise in energy and engineering and offer teens the chance to work with major energy and engineering employers based in the town, including Sellafield Ltd, AMEC Foster Wheeler, Tenet Consultants, Nuvia, Atkins, National Nuclear Laboratories and Flamefast.

Construction of the new £10 million, 620-place College is due to start in July and is scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2016.

Recruitment of students for Year 10 and Year 12 will start over this summer ready for the September 2016 opening.