LAWYERS have played a key role in the creation of a £22m North-East college extension.

Ward Hadaway’s construction and engineering, banking and procurement teams provided legal advice on work at Sunderland College’s Bede Campus.

The Newcastle-based firm worked with project management consultancy Turner and Townsend, which was hired to keep the scheme on schedule and in budget.

The campus extension has allowed the college to increase facilities for its sports curriculum and visual and performing arts courses, with a new sports hall, fitness suite, sports laboratories and teaching rooms.

It also includes a new performance hall, dance and drama studios, music recording studios and a digital film lounge.

Ralph Wrighton, partner and head of construction at Ward Hadaway, led the provision of legal advice, supported by procurement partner Sarah Jones, construction solicitor Neil Williamson and banking partner Imogen Holland.

He said: “We are delighted to have worked with Sunderland College on this important development for the future of its sports and arts education programmes.

“It is great to see this extension finished and I am sure it will be of immense value to Sunderland College students for many years to come.”

Turner and Townsend, a global consultancy which employs 120 people in the North-East, has previously advised Sunderland College on a number of projects, as well as Rolls-Royce on its new factory in Washington, Wearside.