THE country's newest university campus has been opened in North Yorkshire.

Coventry University has formally launched its new £14m campus, CU Scarborough, on the coast.

Welcome to Yorkshire chief executive Sir Gary Verity opened the facility on the town’s former coach parking site at Weaponness, in an event attending by guests including business and education leaders and university dignitaries.

The new campus building, which will eventually house more than 2,000 students, includes IT suites, engineering and science labs, a mock law court and a library as well as a café and social areas.

Students can enrol onto honours degree courses in a wide range of subjects including business, engineering, legal studies, policing, science and tourism, as well as HNC and HND qualifications.

Sir Gary said: “This not only shows significant investment into Scarborough, the new campus will bring in thousands of students from across the country to reside here and in turn boost the local economy.

“This opening comes as Scarborough undergoes an incredible renaissance with the opening of the new multimillion pound waterpark Alpamare, investment into Scarborough Spa, the harbour, and the refurbishment of the Open Air Theatre.

“Let’s not forget Scarborough was recently named the most visited destination outside London by holidaymakers and CU Scarborough will very much add to the town’s ongoing success.”

Professor Craig Gaskell, provost of CU Scarborough, said the official opening is a significant milestone for the university.

He said: “We now look forward to strengthening our roots in Scarborough, continuing to benefit the area’s economy as well as providing excellent opportunities for students by offering affordable university degrees, full-time and part-time in a wide range of career-focused subjects and in a flexible model that’s designed to put modern students with busy lives at the centre of everything that we do.”