THE £34.5m redevelopment of Darlington College of Technology is bringing the institution into a new era - with a new name and logo already agreed.

Hundreds of people voted to select their choice from a shortlist of four logo designs for the 100-year-old college, with the winner polling 700 votes.

The logo will coincide with a name change to Darlington College, which has been approved by the board but is awaiting Government ratification.

Sue Campbell, the college's executive director of customer relations, said the public involvement had been phenomenal.

She said: "The name change seems the obvious way to go as everyone already recognises Darlington College.

"Dropping the 'Technology' better reflects the broader nature of life and learning at the college."

The name and logo will herald the start of a new chapter in college history next year, as it prepares to move to a huge campus.

Currently under construction off Haughton Road, the new-look college is running to budget and is on schedule for the start of the new term in September.

The 16-acre learning centre is the largest investment in post-16 education in the Tees Valley, and will be one of the biggest of its types in the country.

Staff are visiting the site to see where their new home will be and planned trips are being organised for other interested groups in the town.

The relocation to a new building comes at a time when the college has been recognised nationally for standards.

Staff, governors and students won high praise from the country's top schools inspector.

Chief inspector of schools David Bell has included the college on a list which is published every year to highlight the UK's best centres of learning.

Principal and chief executive Sarah Farley has been invited to a reception next month to celebrate the success of the nation's leading schools and colleges.

Ms Farley said: "We are of course delighted to be among the leading centres of education."

He added: "It's very good news for us and for the town, and it is a great testament to the hard work of all our staff and, borne out by our recent inspection report."

Darlington College was inspected earlier this year.

Inspectors reported that the college provided thousands of students with a safe, supportive and well-equipped place to learn.