A NORTH-EAST university has moved nearer to its funding target for the initial phase of a multi-million pound international centre of excellence for the arts.

Sunderland University has received a cash gift of £30,000 from the outdoor clothing magnate, Dame Margaret Barbour.

The money will be used for the first stage of the £20m Centre for the Arts, Design and Media, on the St Peter's campus.

The centre will provide the latest teaching, research and commercial facilities for a range of subjects, including digital media, creative arts, IT and entertainment.

Dame Margaret said: "I first lived in the city when I came north, in 1964, and was particularly honoured when I received an honorary doctorate in business administration, in 1994."

Dame Margaret's contribution will help develop more than 4,000 square metres of studios, workshops and editing suites, as well as facilities for TV and radio production, journalism and digital imaging. Building work is expected to start in May and will be completed next year.

The fundraising campaign was launched in October 1999 by the university's chancellor, Oscar-winning film-maker Lord Puttnam, and has the backing of many high-profile figures, including Kate Adie, Steve Cram and Denise Robertson.