A £4M project to upgrade a leading North-East college reached a high point yesterday.

An extension is being created at Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, in Darlington, and will include a new sports hall, glass atrium and walkway link to the main building.

College principal David Heaton marked a milestone in the scheme by putting the highest block into place.

The next phase will be a refurbishment of the college's west wing, due to be finished in September.

Mr Heaton said: "This is a superb project and we are delighted with the progress made since it started in October.

"It will prove to be transformational and will certainly provide QE with facilities, which will reflect our acknowledged status as one of the country's leading sixth form colleges."

Darlington architects Browne Smith Baker and Clugston Construction are working on the programme.