ASPIRING chefs can enjoy world-class tuition after a college was confirmed as a Centre of Vocational Excellence in hospitality and catering.

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has given the accolade to Darlington College.

The college, along with Yorkshire Coast College at Scarborough, York College and national training provider the Hotel and Catering Training Company Ltd, will form a North Yorkshire Hospitality Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE).

The new ranking has released extra funding, enabling the colleges to develop a range of hospitality courses for all ages and abilities. The money is being used to invest in kitchen, restaurant and IT equipment.

Darlington College was already a centre of excellence for the training of journalists.

The college's School of Journalism, Media and the Arts was awarded Beacon Status in March 2003. It remains the only vocational centre of excellence in the North-East for digital media, design and production.

The new double specialism will operate from the Darlington and Catterick sites.

Liz Burdett, director of area for the LSC in North Yorkshire, said: "The CoVE is a great step forward for the hospitality industry in our area, making us world-class in terms of resources and facilities."

CoVE manager Lisa Voss said: "This is fantastic news and something we have been working towards for the past 18 months.

"It means that as hospitality and catering training providers we are regarded amongst the best ten per cent in the country."