THERE is now more accommodation available for students who are due to study at one of the region's universities in September.

Two new student study-bedroom buildings at the University of Durham Stockton Campus (UDSC) have been completed and handed over one month ahead of schedule by Shepherd Construction, in time for the new academic year.

Work on the £2m expansion began last autumn following a further capital investment by the university.

Demand for accommodation has been increasing year on year, with a growing number of first year students.

The expansion will take the total residential accommodation on campus to more than 500 rooms.

John Hayward, provost of UDSC said: "More than £17m has now been invested at the campus over the past two years, and we are extremely grateful to Shepherd Construction for completing the next phase of expansion ahead of schedule."

The new blocks at East Drive, Stockton Riverside, will be named Laming and Cowey, after Durham University honorary graduates whose degrees were conferred at Stockton graduation ceremonies.

Both were chosen for their pioneering work in their professions, both science, which matches the spirit of the developments taking place on the campus