HISTORY was made on Monday, when the University of Chester officially opened its Warrington campus.

More than 200 distinguished visitors were invited to the site in Crab Lane, Padgate, to see Warrington become a university town.

Mayor of Warrington, Clr Hans Mundry, said: "It's great news for the town. Warrington education authority's reputation is very high and this reinforces it. It's the icing on the cake to make sure that all the educational needs of Warrington people, from nursery age through to higher education, can be met in the borough."

The campus opening followed the University of Chester's launch on Sunday, September 18, where Chester Cathedral was the backdrop for a display of pageantry culminating with the Duke of Westminster being robed in his new gown of office as he became the figurehead of the university.

The university's vice-chancellor and principal, Professor Timothy Wheeler, paid tribute to the staff, students and community champions who had made the occasion possible.

He said: "We began back in 1839 with 10 students in a small, and by all accounts gloomy, house in Nicholas Street, Chester. We now have two major campuses in Chester and Warrington, with four hospital-based campuses. All with the most up to date facilities to attract the students of the 21st Century and a body of first class staff to guide and enlighten them."

University trumpeters played a fanfare and as the congregation left the building, the institution's new standing was welcomed with a peal of bells.