Construction has started on an £80million project at a North-East University.

Durham University is building its first new college in 12 years, as well as a new home for one the college’s it is relocating to Durham from its Stockton campus.

Both colleges are being built at the former golf course Mount Oswald, in South Road and will have space for 1,000 students, who will start to move in in 2020.

A hub facility and sports area are also being built, which will be ready to use by autumn 2019.

Pro-vice chancellor Owen Adams, said: “These new facilities will benefit our students and also the local community, as we increasingly share our facilities with our neighbours and increase the proportion of our students living in collegiate accommodation.”

Interserve, the international support services and construction group, won a £105m contract to build and manage the new colleges.

The colleges are part of the university’s ongoing estates programme, a key part of its ten-year strategy.